The Australian Crime Commission (ACC) and New Zealand Police have further strengthened their Trans-Tasman relationship after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today, allowing both countries to share intelligence on the highest criminal risks.
ACC CEO John Lawler and NZ Police Commissioner Peter Marshall signed the MOU together in Wellington, New Zealand.
“Improving national intelligence sharing between the ACC and New Zealand Police will enhance the international picture of organised crime and inform strategies to reduce supply, demand and harm to communities in both countries”, said Mr Lawler.
New Zealand Police Director of Intelligence Mark Evans says the agreement is common sense.
"Today's organised crime networks are agile and innovative. They have no respect for international borders and will operate wherever they can make money. New Zealand and Australia suffer from many common threats including drug trafficking, gangs, identity crime and issues such as cyber crime.
"The responses required to address their offending need to be equally sophisticated and involve cross-jurisdictional cooperation.
“The signing of this MOU reinforces the need for law enforcement across jurisdictions and borders to work together in the fight against organised crime, particularly as organised criminals are more resilient and dynamic than ever before”, said Mr Lawler.
This agreement also follows the Australian and New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency Protocol on Information Sharing for Organised Crime, which law enforcement agencies from Australia and New Zealand are part of.
Both ACC and New Zealand Police are working to develop further partnerships with international law enforcement agencies.
ENDS
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ACC Media Team: +61 2 6243 6843
NZ Police Media: Jane Archibald +64 4 474 9442