ACT Policing has thanked Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel for their support in patrolling the Territory’s borders in recent weeks.
Detective Inspector ACT Road Policing, Donna Hofmeier said the joint ACT Policing and ADF operation wrapped up last week (14 October) as the Territory’s lockdown ended.
“From Monday 20 September 2021, ADF deployed up to 25 members from across Australia to serve alongside ACT Policing during the COVID-19 lockdown,” Detective Inspector Hofmeier said.
“With the assistance of the ADF personnel, ACT Policing increased its activities at border check points,” she said.
“Over the past four weeks police and ADF processed 1,6461 vehicles at the borders, turning around 331 vehicles travelling for non-approved reasons.”
DI Hofmeier said that along with ACT Road Policing teams, the ADF teams were made up of personnel from Army and Navy, with the majority from the Federation Guard and Royal Military College Band.
She said it was great to have the two organisations working together with the same goal of serving the community and keeping people safe.
“It was great (to) see the enthusiastic Canberran welcome to our Defence personnel and the support for our joint operations at borders around the ACT,” she said.
“Defence assistance allowed us to increase our activities at a time when our community needed assistance in navigating COVID-19 health measures.”
DI Hofmeier said police were extremely thankful to the ADF for personnel tasked to work with them.
“Their professionalism and dedication was extremely valuable to our COVID-19 response and helped keep our community safe,” she said.
DI Hofmeier said ACT Road Policing had returned to normal duties and would continue with its “anytime, anywhere” approach to COVID-19 compliance checks across Canberra.
