Ministerial Council for Police and Emergency Management - Police (MCPEMP)
The Ministerial Council for Police and Emergency Management – Police was established in 2006 and was formerly known as the Australasian Police Ministers' Council (APMC).
The APMC was established in 1980 to promote a co-ordinated national response to law enforcement issues and to maximise the efficient use of police resources. Its initial role was to establish the National Common Police Services (NCPS), and to develop a co-ordinated approach to Police policy and operations.
The APMC broadened its role, in May 1986, to include the co-ordination of the national attack on organised crime and the co-operative efforts needed to achieve that goal. APMC implemented initiatives to increase its capacity to establish and implement national law enforcement policy. More recently its agenda has extended to include a wide range of national law enforcement policy development and implementation activities including:
- DNA legislation
- National sex offenders registry, and
- Gun control.
In 2006 the APMC changed its’ name to the Ministerial Council for Police and Emergency Management – Police (MCPEMP), following a direction from the Council of Australian Governments.
The National Common Police Services are:
- Australian Institute of Police Management
- National Crime Statistic Unit
- Australia and New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency
Composition
The Council comprises the Ministers responsible for police from the Australian Government, each of the States and Territories and New Zealand.
Chairing Arrangements
Chairing of the Council rotates, on a calendar year basis, between the jurisdictions represented.
Frequency of Meetings
The MCPEMP has two scheduled meetings per year. Special meetings on subjects of high sensitivity and/or urgency are called as required. Some MCPEMP business is also handled out-of-session.
Associated Meetings of Officials
A standing committee of officials, the senior Officers Group (SOG) meets at least twice per year prior to the MCPEMP meetings. The SOG is comprised of the Police Commissioners of the States and Territories, New Zealand and the Australian Federal Police, the Secretary of the Victorian Department of Justice, the Director-General of the NSW Ministry of Police, the Chief Executive of the ACT Department of Justice and Community Safety, the ACT Chief Police Officer and the Deputy Secretary, National Security and Criminal Justice Group, Australian Attorney-General’s Department. The Directors of the National Common Police Services have observer status at SOG meetings.
Secretariat Arrangements
The Australian Government provides the Secretariat for the MCPEMP. All costs of the Secretariat are met by the Australian Government. Costs for the SOG, NCPS and MCPEMP meetings are shared between the Australian Government and the hosting jurisdiction.
Secretariat Contact
Secretary, MCAJ
Telephone: 02 6250 6809
Facsimile: 02 6273 0914
Email: mcajsec@ag.gov.au