CANBERRA, ACT, Jan. 26 -- Australian Federal Police issued the following media release:
Editor's note: Images of the Australia Day Honours recipients are available via Hightail
Four AFP members have been recognised in today's 2025 Australia Day Honours list for their significant contributions to the AFP and Australian community.
Jodie McEwan will be awarded the Public Service Medal (PSM) for outstanding public service in significant policy and legislative reform at the AFP.
The PSM is awarded to employees of the Australian Government and state, territory, and local governments, in recognition of outstanding public service.
Assistant Commissioner Alison Wegg, Detective Superintendent Marie Andersson, and Former Detective Inspector Craig Mann will each receive the Australian Police Medal (APM) in recognition of their impactful work across a range of AFP operational capabilities.
The APM is awarded for distinguished service by a member of an Australian police force.
In congratulating the members, AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw APM recognised their unwavering service and dedication to the AFP and wider Australian community.
"The outstanding work of Jodie, Alison, Marie and Craig, both in Australia and overseas, is testament to their professionalism, exceptional commitment, and dedicated leadership across the AFP," Commissioner Kershaw said.
"Their extraordinary contributions have significantly enhanced the safety and security of all Australians, and today's recognition is well deserved.
"Ms Jodie McEwan is widely respected as a leader and role model within the AFP and is dedicated to implementing progressive reforms to support some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
"She is responsible for driving a strong network of female leaders within ACT Policing and the AFP and upholds our values of integrity, respect, excellence and commitment. She has represented the AFP at the highest levels of government both domestically and internationally.
"Assistant Commissioner Alison Wegg has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to the protection of Australians and our interests for more than 30 years.
"Her globally recognised contributions to law enforcement have not only strengthened Australia's national security, but also inspire others to emulate the integrity, courage, and commitment she demonstrates every day.
"Former Detective Inspector Craig Mann's dedication to protecting our country's most vulnerable members has served as a benchmark in combatting child abuse and exploitation around the world.
"As a founding member of the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE), he has enhanced the AFP's capacity to identify and remove child victims from harm, disrupt online child abuse material and target child abuse offenders. His leadership has supported teams at the ACCCE to work tirelessly to protect the vulnerable and seek justice for victims and their families.
"Detective Superintendent Marie Andersson has consistently demonstrated true resilience and leadership throughout her 22-year career, combatting serious organised crime both in Australia and offshore.
"Her commitment to fostering international partnerships has also been hugely impactful in the global fight against terrorism and the protection of all Australians."
Ms Jodie McEwanMs Jodie McEwan led the development and implementation of the ACT Policing response to several nation-leading and progressive reforms that affect some of the most vulnerable Australians in the community.
She developed a policy position that focussed on harm reduction principles and created efficiencies for frontline policing resources through the changes to the Drugs of Dependence (Personal Use) Amendment Act 2022.
Throughout the process Ms McEwan displayed her unwavering commitment to the reforms, with a deep understanding of the intent of the legislation requiring ACT Policing to divert people who use drugs out of the criminal justice system and towards a health-based intervention instead.
Ms McEwan has also led the AFP's contribution to considerations around raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14 years of age by 2025, which is an extremely complex issue. One of the more challenging tasks with this policy reform was working with child protection agencies to ensure appropriate services could be in place to deal with young persons that could no longer be taken into police custody.
Assistant Commissioner Alison WeggAssistant Commissioner Alison Wegg has dedicated more than 30 years to policing, in which time she has led criminal investigations and intelligence operations combatting organised crime, money laundering, organised fraud, human trafficking, child sex offences and people smuggling.
She has led tactical teams and international deployments, including establishing the AFP's Bali office and working with the Royal Thai Police in a role focused on combatting travelling child sex offenders and human trafficking.
Assistant Commissioner Wegg developed the AFP's specialist training faculty and led the armed protection capability within the AUKUS security model. In 2023, she commanded protective security for major international events, such as the FIFA Women's World Cup.
Detective Superintendent Marie AnderssonDetective Superintendent Marie Andersson joined the AFP in 2003 and has served in various capabilities, including Operations, Response, Client Liaison, Human Source Management and Counter Terrorism Operations.
She was deployed to Jakarta in 2004 following the Indonesian terrorist attacks and has worked across organised crime and child protection operations nationally.
Promoted to Detective Superintendent in 2022, she has served in Southeast Asia and Türkiye, enhancing international partnerships to combat organised crime. She is the AFP Senior Officer in Türkiye.
Former Detective Inspector Craig MannFormer Detective Inspector Craig Mann commenced at the AFP in 1989, contributing to multiple capabilities, including Eastern Response Team, Intelligence Field Team, Operational Safety Training, Eastern Operations Team, Serious and Organised Crime and the Identity Crime Task Force.
He founded the AFP Specialist Response for Amphetamine Type Stimulants and was also a founding member of the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE).
At the ACCCE, he led units focused on online child protection and exploitation, intelligence, and covert online engagement. With a career spanning more than 35 years, Mr Mann has been instrumental in enhancing operational capabilities and training within the ACCCE and AFP.
Craig Mann departed the AFP in 2024.
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