Defence personnel to assist with ACT Policing’s COVID19 compliance activities

Canberrans can expect to see Australian Defence Force Personnel working alongside ACT Policing officers from today (Wednesday 22 September 2021) after the ACT lodged a request through Emergency Management Australia.

Following ongoing discussions between ACT Policing, the ACT Government and the Australian Defence Force, personnel will assist ACT Policing as COVID-19 border compliance checks continue.

The addition of up to 25 ADF personnel will assist ACT Road Policing with its anywhere, anytime compliance activities both at static operations and for random vehicle checks across Canberra.

ADF personnel will serve in a supporting role – focusing on pre-screening of vehicles - with enforcement remaining with police.

ACT Road Policing Detective Acting Superintendent Donna Hofmeier said boosting capability at cross-border operations was important in the coming weeks as health directions change across the border.

“The community is always so thankful to see police and Defence together supporting them in their time of need, which has occurred often in recent years during emergencies and other events,” Detective Acting Superintendent Hofmeier said.

“We have a strong relationship with Defence here in Canberra and ACT Policing looks forward to working closely with them over the coming weeks.  

“Since the ACT COVID-19 lockdown started, ACT Policing has now conducted more than 23,000 vehicle compliance checks and we’ve increased our activities in the past week.

“The support of the ADF will assist us to conduct more border operations to ensure health directions, which restrict the movement of people across the border, are complied with.

“Canberra residents can’t host visitors from NSW and Canberrans can’t go for a holiday in NSW, so we’re continuing to work with NSW Police Force to cover traffic in both directions.”

For the most recent information on the ACT’s COVID-19 restrictions, visit the ACT COVID-19 site.

For all general COVID-19 enquiries – including to make a report of non-compliance - contact the COVID-19 Helpline on 6207 7244 (8am – 8pm, 7 days a week).

For police assistance call 131 444 and only contact Triple Zero (000) for emergencies.

Media enquiries

Police Media — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au