Currently developing a digital transition roadmap.
Australian Federal Police have been advised to make a number of changes to the technology they use in a newly released audit by the auditor general of the Australian National Audit office.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is the national and principal federal law enforcement agency of the Australian Government. The exercise of statutory powers should occur within an effective accountability and reporting framework.
This audit complements a similar audit that the ANAO undertook in 2016–17 of the Australian Border Force. The AFP’s framework to ensure the lawful exercise of powers in accordance with applicable legislation is largely effective. However there are serious deficiencies in the AFP’s record keeping practices and processes.
According to the auditor general where highly operational entities have an extensive suite of guidance material for staff, a balance needs to be achieved between a centrally-managed regime to ensure consistency of messaging and a decentralised model which may be more responsive to individual work area needs but risks duplication and overlap.
Entities should also avoid proliferation of guidance material which may make it challenging for staff to find the ‘right’ guidance document — and also creates a downstream administrative burden because such material must be periodically reviewed. Records management
An effective Electronic Data and Records Management System is essential for the management of digital records. The National Archives of Australia does not consider that network drives are acceptable for the storage of official records.
The auditor general also recommends the AFP implement an Electronic Data and Records Management System (EDRMS) to allow it to store records so that they are secure and readily accessible. It should cease its reliance on network drives.
The AFP is currently developing a digital transition roadmap which includes an initiative to market test suitable digital records management capabilities that will inlay with our operating and technology environment.
This work will identify potential solutions and enable the AFP to modernise, strengthen and streamline records management.
