AFS Staff

AFS personnel have worked in the Internal Investigations Department of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and have prepared reports to the satisfaction of the Commonwealth Ombudsman. These reports covered a myriad of complaints and in many instances required mediation between both parties. The mediation process was conducted to the satisfaction of the Commonwealth Ombudsman and attained successful outcomes for all concerned parties.

AFS personnel interpret and apply workplace values and code of conduct requirements when undertaking investigations training and in the delivery and design of all training material. An open mind and regard to the rules of natural justice are strong characteristics of AFS methodology.

One major client requires AFS investigators to report on breaches of their code of conduct, which entails analysis of work place issues and practices. Reporting is direct to legal council acting for the client who relies on our judgment and report to determine further action.

AFS Trainers do not bring a “prosecution mentality” to investigations training. As an outsourced contractor our investigations training focuses on the basis that the members of any agency being investigated must be dealt with in accordance with Agency Policy, Privacy Act and the rules of natural justice. Investigators recognize that investigations may have several outcomes including administrative, disciplinary or criminal.

Each trainer is fully accredited to minimum Certificate IV Government Fraud Control (Investigations) qualifications in accordance with the requirements of the Fraud Control Policy of the Commonwealth. Senior Managers hold the Advanced Diploma Government (Fraud Control Management). All trainers hold the Diploma of Training and Assessment Systems as the Minimum Qualification to Design, Develop and Deliver all training programs.

AFS Staff Details

Thomas Anthony McQuillen
Managing Director Training and Investigations
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Phone: (02) 62547544
Mobile 0411 257 128
Fax: (02) 62547599

Key Responsibilities and Experience

Manage this company which provides specialised services for clients in areas related to: professional investigation and brief preparation; specialised training in investigations to Government Departments; and expert examinations and reports. Manage the overall administration and management decisions for the business including allocation of priorities, strategic planning, directional philosophy, sales and marketing strategies and promotions. Personnel management duties include ongoing recruitment, supervision and monitoring of four trainers/investigators, plus a group of six contracted specialists with casual support staff utilised when required. As an investigator conduct various tasks associated with factual investigations encompassing file reviews and investigation plans through to the final reporting of any matter to a standard acceptable to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions or a similar level within government agencies for their internal use.
Exercise effective communication, negotiation and professional skills when liaising with law enforcement agencies including Australian Federal Police and State Police, government officials and clients.

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David Geoffrey Tompsett
Investigations and Training
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Phone: (02) 62547544
Mobile: 0410 553 197

Key Responsibilities and Experience

Training and Investigations - responsible for the development and delivery of nationally accredited competency based investigations, training programs. Manage and conduct investigations on behalf of Federal, State and Local Government Authorities as well as private sector organizations, including criminal investigations, disciplinary investigations and investigations into OH&S workplace incidents. Previously, manager of the Australian Federal Police Investigations Training Branch - responsible for a full time training team of 44 people who delivered in house training and competency based training programs to members of the AFP, personnel from State and Federal Government Agencies and Foreign law enforcement bodies - during that time he was seconded by AusAid and the United Nations to develop and deliver training in the Republic of the Philippines, Botswana and in the Republic of Vanuatu. Worked at the Australian Federal Police College - responsible for conducting training needs analysis, developing, delivering and evaluating training programs for AFP staff, staff employed by State and Federal Government bodies and staff employed by foreign law enforcement bodies. Worked as a supervisor (Detective Sergeant) with the AFP Major Crime Squad - responsible for conducting and supervising investigations into designated major crimes committed against laws of the Commonwealth and the A.C.T. Worked in the Australian Federal Police Internal Investigations Division - responsible for conducting and supervising investigations into allegations of criminal misconduct made against members of the AFP. Attached to the Detective Training School, Australian Federal Police College as a trainer - responsible for developing, delivering and evaluating the AFP Detective Training programs.

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Wayne Michael Carney
Investigations, Security Consultant, Training and Marketing
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Phone: (02) 62547544
Mobile:0414 335 881

Key Responsibilities and Experience

Training and Investigations - responsible for the development and delivery of nationally accredited competency based investigations and security training programs. Manage and conduct investigations and training on behalf of Federal, State and Local Government Authorities as well as private sector organizations, including criminal investigations, disciplinary investigations and investigations into OH&S workplace incidents. Investigations include the ACT 2003 Bushfires Coronial and Litigation support to the ACT Government Solicitors office and Legal counsel assisting the coronial process for 2003-4. Investigations and Security training developed and delivered both locally nationally and overseas. The fields of delivery include and are not limited to Fraud, Ethics, Investigation, Risk Management, Security to Government and the private sector.

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John Anthony Giri
Investigations and Training
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Phone: (02) 62547544
Mobile: 0412 697 883

Key Responsibilities and Experience

Provide investigative input to a number of briefs being prepared for the DPP. Ensure that all staff members are trained and he has instigated an ongoing process to ensure compliance with changes in privacy issues and industry best practice. Upon leaving University John joined a local high-tech company that specialised in the import and manufacture of lasers and optical equipment for the research and defence industries. Over a period of seven years John was responsible for developing an awareness of new technologies in the infrared and laser areas. In 1988 John joined a Canberra company that provided investigation services to the insurance industry. John was responsible for the completion of investigations including client liaison and reporting. During this period John was instrumental in identifying growth areas and training new investigators. In 1994 John commenced his own Company initially providing investigative services to Comcare and then to a broader base encompassing the insurance industry and in particular the NRMA. Using his expertise. A full range of services covering optical and factual investigation in the areas of compulsory third party (CTP), workers compensation, property and motor vehicle theft is offered.

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Garry Maher
Research, Consultancy, International Marketing and Training
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Key Responsibilities and Experience

Recently appointed associate, Garry Maher brings to Australian Forensic Services nearly 40 years of combined experience as an investigator, police educator, academic and corporate trainer. During his long career he has been involved in the research, design, development, delivery and evaluation of numerous vocational and professional development training programs in the investigation, law enforcement and security disciplines. As Associate Director and Visiting Scholar of the Centre for Professional and Vocational Education, University of Canberra, Garry mentored numerous police, military and other government educators and human resources personnel in the evolvement of their respective internal investigation and professional development training programs. He has been instrumental in developing nationally accredited investigation training programs in accord with the vocational training agenda of the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA). His book, “Investigating MADE SIMPLE” – a guide to the principles and practice of complaint and incident investigation has been approved by ANTA as a training package support text for many of the accredited investigation training programs under the Australian Qualifications Framework and which are offered by Australian Forensic Services. Garry was awarded associate membership of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), Washington DC, USA. More recently, Garry received a commendation from the Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) for his work in developing specialist-training programs for investigators and enforcement officers employed in government agencies.

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Randall Smith
Queensland Consultant
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Key Responsibilities and Experience

Randall Smith has a reputation as an outstanding communicator, able to relate to people in diverse circumstance. This is a skill Randall developed and refined during his 16 years as a police officer with the Queensland Police Service. Randall successfully utilised his communication and investigation skills in the field, investigating serious criminal offences such as murder, robberies, drug and sexual offences.

Randall’s ability to impart knowledge to others, tailored to the needs of individual students and organisations, has been employed in the public and private sectors. He develops and delivers training in topics such as effective communication, investigations, business and project management. Randall is committed to lifelong learning and helping others obtain recognition for their life skills. His skills at interviewing and evidence gathering combine to identify the training and credentials that best reflect the needs and knowledge of each client.

In 2002, reflecting his commitment to excellence, Randall was awarded a prestigious Churchill Fellowship by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust that enabled him to travel throughout Canada and the USA studying police investigations of clandestine drug laboratories. Randall has successfully completed the Drug Enforcement Administration clandestine laboratory investigation course in USA. His field experience in this specialist area of drug investigation is vast, extending throughout Australia, the USA and Canada. Randall’s experience as a trainer extends to facilitating international training courses in his specialist field of clandestine drug laboratory investigation and awareness. Randall is a member of the Clandestine Laboratory Investigators Association.

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