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Category: Police

  • MIL-OSI Security: NPCC celebrates role of women in policing

    Source: United Kingdom National Police Chiefs Council

    The NPCC Chair, Gavin Stephens, responds to MP’s comments made yesterday (21 July), about the role of women in policing.

    Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chair of the NPCC, said: “All of our officers come to work every day with passion, determination and courage to serve their communities.

    “There are an increasing number of women who choose a career in policing, bringing with them vital skills and experience that are critical to the progress of policing, our role in society, and keeping the public safe. Over a third of our officers and around 40% of our chief constables are women, and we must not jeopardise our progress by diminishing the value and role women play in our workforce.

    “There are no roles in policing which women cannot do, and the same exacting standards to qualify are met by all men and women who undertake some of the most challenging tasks of any profession.

    “We celebrate that women have an essential and irreplaceable role in every aspect of policing across the United Kingdom; policing is at its best when it represents the communities it serves, and our priority continues to be making policing a career where anyone can thrive and make a difference.”

    MIL Security OSI –

    July 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: NPCC celebrates role of women in policing

    Source: United Kingdom National Police Chiefs Council

    The NPCC Chair, Gavin Stephens, responds to MP’s comments made yesterday (21 July), about the role of women in policing.

    Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chair of the NPCC, said: “All of our officers come to work every day with passion, determination and courage to serve their communities.

    “There are an increasing number of women who choose a career in policing, bringing with them vital skills and experience that are critical to the progress of policing, our role in society, and keeping the public safe. Over a third of our officers and around 40% of our chief constables are women, and we must not jeopardise our progress by diminishing the value and role women play in our workforce.

    “There are no roles in policing which women cannot do, and the same exacting standards to qualify are met by all men and women who undertake some of the most challenging tasks of any profession.

    “We celebrate that women have an essential and irreplaceable role in every aspect of policing across the United Kingdom; policing is at its best when it represents the communities it serves, and our priority continues to be making policing a career where anyone can thrive and make a difference.”

    MIL Security OSI –

    July 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ghana’s security strategy has kept terror attacks at bay: what other countries can learn from its approach

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Paa Kwesi Wolseley Prah, Postdoctoral Fellow, Dublin City University

    Ghana stands out in west Africa as a nation that has not experienced terrorist attacks, even though it’s geographically close to countries that have. In Burkina Faso, Mali and Nigeria, extremist groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP) have wreaked havoc.

    This resilience is not accidental. It is the result of deliberate counter-terrorism strategies employed by Ghana’s security institutions.

    Ghana’s counter-terrorism framework was set out in 2020. It has four pillars: prevent, pre-empt, protect, and respond. The idea is to coordinate multiple agencies, including the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Armed Forces and the National Intelligence Bureau.

    These pillars guide strategies to address both immediate threats and underlying vulnerabilities. Poverty, religious radicalism and porous borders are common drivers of terrorism in west Africa.

    I am an international security and global governance researcher. My co-author is a government and international studies scholar.

    Four years ago we wrote a paper examining Ghana’s resilience against terrorist attacks. Our findings are still relevant given the increasing activities of terror groups in the west African region.

    Read more: West Africa terror: why attacks on military bases are rising – and four ways to respond

    We wanted to identify what works as a potential model for other countries.

    Using a qualitative methodology, we interviewed stakeholders — including police officers, members of the armed forces, Muslim community leaders, and immigration officials. We also analysed the national framework for preventing and countering violent extremism and terrorism.

    Our findings showed that Ghana’s success is traceable to an approach that integrates community engagement with advanced border technology, inter-agency training, media collaboration and intelligence operations. And it addresses both immediate and underlying threats.

    We argue that Ghana’s ability to balance prevention with security offers solutions for stability in a geopolitically volatile region.

    Read more: Ghana’s new president faces tough regional security problems: why he’s well-placed to tackle them

    Community engagement

    One of the standout strategies is community engagement. This serves multiple purposes, from guiding people away from extremism to gathering intelligence.

    The Ghana Police Service, for instance, engages Muslim-dominated communities, known as “Zongos”, to counter radical Islamic ideologies that could be exploited by terrorist groups.

    By collaborating with local religious leaders, police make communities aware of the dangers of radicalisation. They foster trust and encourage residents to report suspicious activities. This approach also works in tackling illegal arms circulation.

    Ghana has an estimated 2.3 million small arms in circulation – 1.1 million of them illegally possessed. The availability of so many weapons fuels terrorist activities across west Africa.

    Community based de-radicalisation aligns with global best practices. In Norway, for instance, it was used to disengage youth from extremist groups.

    Technology at borders

    Ghana’s border control management is another part of its counter-terrorism strategy. Ghana Immigration Service uses advanced security software and integrated systems like the “Immigration 360” system, designed to fully automate passenger processing and data management.

    The system manages records of fingerprints and other data to improve reporting and intelligence sharing between Ghana Immigration and other security agencies.

    The technology makes it possible to quickly identity individuals on terrorist watchlists and detects concealed goods. This helps prevent illegal cross-border movements.

    There are gaps in Ghana’s defences, however. The influx of migrants fleeing extremist violence in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger in 2024 highlights the urgency of scaling up investments in the technology.

    Read more: West Africa could soon have a jihadist state – here’s why

    Training for preparedness

    Ghana combats new and varying forms of terrorism by uncovering trends and training personnel to deal with them.

    A notable example was the six-day joint training in 2022 involving the Ghana Immigration Service, Police Service, Customs, Economic and Organised Crime Office, and the National Intelligence Bureau.

    The country also works with regional neighbours like Burkina Faso, Togo and Benin, and partners such as the United States, through initiatives like “Operation Epic Guardian”.

    Media as a strategic partner

    Terrorists rely on media to amplify fear and publicise their causes. Ghana’s security agencies counter this tactic by actively engaging media houses to report accurately.

    The Ghana Armed Forces, for instance, works with media to debunk false reports, which can cause public panic and inadvertently aid terrorists.

    The Ghana Police Service emphasises regular dialogue with media to ensure sensitive information is verified before publication, reducing the risk of tipping off suspects. However, media competition for viewers poses a challenge.

    Surveillance and intelligence gathering

    Surveillance and intelligence gathering is critical. Plainclothes armed forces and immigration personnel blend into communities to monitor potential threats. The approach has worked but is constrained by resources.

    It can also risk human rights violations, such as wrongful profiling, and is less effective against multiple targets compared to technological solutions like facial recognition or CCTV.

    Read more: Funding terror: how west Africa’s deadly jihadists get the money they need to survive

    Challenges and regional implications

    Despite its successes, Ghana’s counter-terrorism framework faces challenges that could undermine its long-term efficacy:

    • logistical and financial constraints

    • the influx of migrants fleeing regional violence

    • a lack of harmonised security cultures within the regional body, Ecowas.

    In all, Ghana’s strategies offer lessons for west Africa, where terrorism is a growing threat.

    Its community engagement model could be followed in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to counter radicalisation and arms proliferation, provided it avoids religious stereotyping.

    – Ghana’s security strategy has kept terror attacks at bay: what other countries can learn from its approach
    – https://theconversation.com/ghanas-security-strategy-has-kept-terror-attacks-at-bay-what-other-countries-can-learn-from-its-approach-260333

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force Commemorates 20 Years Investigating, Apprehending West Texas Fugitives

    Source: US Marshals Service

    San Antonio, TX – The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) is commemorating the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force’s 20 years of service as part of the Western District of Texas.

    The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (LSFTF) is a multi-agency task force focused on the reduction of violence within the Western District of Texas through the identification, investigation, and apprehension of fugitives wanted for egregious crimes against the community. Since its inception in March 2005, the task force has investigated and apprehended over 58,991 fugitives, including 1,795 wanted for murder.  

    The Western District of Texas consists of 93,000 square miles, 68 counties, 809 miles of border with Mexico, with eight divisions located in Austin, Alpine, Del Rio, El Paso, Midland, Pecos, San Antonio and Waco.

    Notable historical cases, arrests, and awards in the Western District of Texas include: 

    In April 2017, the Austin division was presented the Outstanding Team Award at the 34th Annual 100 Club of Central Texas Awards Banquet. 

    June 2022, the Austin division conducted a fugitive investigation that led to the arrest of Kaitlin Armstrong, sought for the May 2022 murder of professional cyclist Moriah “Mo” Wilson. Armstrong was apprehended at a hostel in Costa Rica following a 43-day fugitive investigation with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Office of International Operations, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Department of State Diplomatic Security Service.

    February 2024, the Alpine division investigated the whereabouts of Ivan Ramos-Hernandez, who fled from Presidio Police, engaging them in a high-speed pursuit and firing gunshots. Ramos-Hernandez fled to Ojinaga, Mexico, where he was apprehended by Mexican authorities following a multi-agency collaboration with assistance provided from Homeland Security Investigations, Custom Border Protection, U.S. Probation, Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Division, Presidio Police and Mexican officials. Ramos-Hernandez attempted a violent escape one last time during transport that was halted by authorities. 

    January 2022, the Del Rio division was contacted by the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Fugitive Task Force to locate and apprehend Oscar Rosales, who was wanted for capital murder, when he shot and killed Corporal Charles Galloway with the Harris County Constables Office during a traffic stop. Rosales fired multiple rounds from an assault rifle and fled from the scene. Rosales was added to the Texas10 Most Wanted Fugitive list and was believed to have fled to Mexico. Investigators in the Del Rio division worked directly with Mexican authorities and coordinated his apprehension in Acuna, Mexico. 

    August 2017, the El Paso division initiated a fugitive investigation to apprehend Javier Gonzalez and Manual Gallegos, members of the Kinfolk Outlaw Motorcycle Gang sought for multiple counts of engaging in organized criminal activity and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Gonzales and Gallegos were arrested in two separate incidents within a 10-day span with additional assistance from El Paso Police Department’s SWAT team.

    April 2025, the Midland division adopted the apprehension of Noah Gilbert Olgin, who was wanted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, injury to a child, deadly conduct and a federal supervised release violation for possession of a firearm, following an incident where he was involved in a drive-by-shooting in Odessa, that resulted in a serious injury to a child.  Olgin was arrested in Midland with assistance from the Midland SWAT team. 

    November 2022, the Pecos division arrested Jose Hernandez, a Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive apprehended in Monterey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, through a coordinated effort with the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Fugitive Task Force and Mexican authorities. Hernandez was sought on a bond violation for two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. 

    January 2024, the San Antonio division joined efforts to apprehend Romeo Nance, who was wanted in connection with a mass shooting in Joliet, Illinois, that killed eight people and wounded one other person. The Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, Joliet Police Department, and the Will County Sheriff’s Department requested immediate assistance from the LSFTF who located and observed Nance at a gas station in Natalia, Texas. As members of the LSFTF attempted to contain Nance in his vehicle, he fled on foot, taking his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 

    June 2020, the Waco division was contacted by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division to locate 20-year-old Pfc. Class Vanessa Guillen, a Fort Hood soldier who had been reported missing under unusual circumstances in April 2020. Joining CID’s investigation, task force members determined Guillen had been murdered by another soldier. Less than 24 hours after Guillen’s remains were located in a shallow grave near a river, the LSFTF identified Spc. Aaron David Robinson and his girlfriend Cecily Aguilar as primary suspects in her murder. As task force members attempted to take Robinson into custody, he fatally shot himself. Aguilar pleaded guilty in federal court and was sentenced to 30 years of incarceration. In 2021, the Waco Division received the Distinguished Group Award for District Task Forces at the 40th United States Marshals Service Director’s Honorary Awards in recognition of locating Guillen’s remains and identifying those responsible for her death. In July of 2022, personnel in the Waco Division were recognized for their outstanding service, selfless pursuit of justice, and assisting in bringing closure for Guillen’s family and friends by being granted the 69th Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service.   

    On June 2, the Waco Division received the Distinguished Group Award for the District Task Forces at the 43rd United States Marshals Service Director’s Honorary Awards for a two-year-old cold case from Leon County, involving a missing child, and possible homicide of the child’s mother. The division conducted an intensive investigation that resulted in the recovery of the mother’s decomposed remains found buried in a field and completed a multifaceted arrest operation that resulted in the arrest of the suspect and safe recovery of the missing child. During the conclusion of the arrest, multiple firearms, ammunition, body armor, and narcotics were seized, and the suspect was indicted on capital murder.

    “I am immensely proud of the Deputy U.S. Marshals and the numerous task force officers of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, men and women who are fully devoted to making their communities safer for their fellow citizens by apprehending offenders wanted for the most serious crimes such as murder and child abuse, while ensuring the equal application of justice for all,” said Marshal Susan Pamerleau, U.S. Marshal of the Western District of Texas.  

    U.S. Marshals task forces combine the efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate and arrest the most dangerous fugitives. Fifty-eight local task forces are dedicated to reducing violent crime by locating and apprehending wanted criminals. They also serve as the central point for agencies to share information on fugitive matters.  Task force officers are state and local police officers who receive special deputations with the U.S. Marshals. While on a task force, these officers can exercise U.S. Marshals authorities, such as crossing jurisdictional lines.

    Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force across the Western District of TexasSAN ANTONIO – The U.S. Marshals Service is commemorating the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force’s 20 years of service as part of the Western District of Texas.

    The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (LSFTF) is a multi-agency task force focused on the reduction of violence within the Western District of Texas through the identification, investigation, and apprehension of fugitives wanted for egregious crimes against the community. Since its inception in March 2005, the task force has investigated and apprehended over 58,991 fugitives, including 1,795 wanted for murder.  

    The Western District of Texas consists of 93,000 square miles, 68 counties, 809 miles of border with Mexico, with eight divisions located in Austin, Alpine, Del Rio, El Paso, Midland, Pecos, San Antonio and Waco.

    Notable historical cases, arrests, and awards in the Western District of Texas include: 
    In April 2017, the Austin division was presented the Outstanding Team Award at the 34th Annual 100 Club of Central Texas Awards Banquet. 
    June 2022, the Austin division conducted a fugitive investigation that led to the arrest of Kaitlin Armstrong, sought for the May 2022 murder of professional cyclist Moriah “Mo” Wilson. Armstrong was apprehended at a hostel in Costa Rica following a 43-day fugitive investigation with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Office of International Operations, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Department of State Diplomatic Security Service.
    February 2024, the Alpine division investigated the whereabouts of Ivan Ramos-Hernandez, who fled from Presidio Police, engaging them in a high-speed pursuit and firing gunshots. Ramos-Hernandez fled to Ojinaga, Mexico, where he was apprehended by Mexican authorities following a multi-agency collaboration with assistance provided from Homeland Security Investigations, Custom Border Protection, U.S. Probation, Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Division, Presidio Police and Mexican officials. Ramos-Hernandez attempted a violent escape one last time during transport that was halted by authorities. 
    January 2022, the Del Rio division was contacted by the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Fugitive Task Force to locate and apprehend Oscar Rosales, who was wanted for capital murder, when he shot and killed Corporal Charles Galloway with the Harris County Constables Office during a traffic stop. Rosales fired multiple rounds from an assault rifle and fled from the scene. Rosales was added to the Texas10 Most Wanted Fugitive list and was believed to have fled to Mexico. Investigators in the Del Rio division worked directly with Mexican authorities and coordinated his apprehension in Acuna, Mexico. 
    August 2017, the El Paso division initiated a fugitive investigation to apprehend Javier Gonzalez and Manual Gallegos, members of the Kinfolk Outlaw Motorcycle Gang sought for multiple counts of engaging in organized criminal activity and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Gonzales and Gallegos were arrested in two separate incidents within a 10-day span with additional assistance from El Paso Police Department’s SWAT team.
    April 2025, the Midland division adopted the apprehension of Noah Gilbert Olgin, who was wanted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, injury to a child, deadly conduct and a federal supervised release violation for possession of a firearm, following an incident where he was involved in a drive-by-shooting in Odessa, that resulted in a serious injury to a child.  Olgin was arrested in Midland with assistance from the Midland SWAT team. 
    November 2022, the Pecos division arrested Jose Hernandez, a Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive apprehended in Monterey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, through a coordinated effort with the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Fugitive Task Force and Mexican authorities. Hernandez was sought on a bond violation for two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. 
    January 2024, the San Antonio division joined efforts to apprehend Romeo Nance, who was wanted in connection with a mass shooting in Joliet, Illinois, that killed eight people and wounded one other person. The Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, Joliet Police Department, and the Will County Sheriff’s Department requested immediate assistance from the LSFTF who located and observed Nance at a gas station in Natalia, Texas. As members of the LSFTF attempted to contain Nance in his vehicle, he fled on foot, taking his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 
    June 2020, the Waco division was contacted by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division to locate 20-year-old Pfc. Class Vanessa Guillen, a Fort Hood soldier who had been reported missing under unusual circumstances in April 2020. Joining CID’s investigation, task force members determined Guillen had been murdered by another soldier. Less than 24 hours after Guillen’s remains were located in a shallow grave near a river, the LSFTF identified Spc. Aaron David Robinson and his girlfriend Cecily Aguilar as primary suspects in her murder. As task force members attempted to take Robinson into custody, he fatally shot himself. Aguilar pleaded guilty in federal court and was sentenced to 30 years of incarceration. In 2021, the Waco Division received the Distinguished Group Award for District Task Forces at the 40th United States Marshals Service Director’s Honorary Awards in recognition of locating Guillen’s remains and identifying those responsible for her death. In July of 2022, personnel in the Waco Division were recognized for their outstanding service, selfless pursuit of justice, and assisting in bringing closure for Guillen’s family and friends by being granted the 69th Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service.   
    On June 2, the Waco Division received the Distinguished Group Award for the District Task Forces at the 43rd United States Marshals Service Director’s Honorary Awards for a two-year-old cold case from Leon County, involving a missing child, and possible homicide of the child’s mother. The division conducted an intensive investigation that resulted in the recovery of the mother’s decomposed remains found buried in a field and completed a multifaceted arrest operation that resulted in the arrest of the suspect and safe recovery of the missing child. During the conclusion of the arrest, multiple firearms, ammunition, body armor, and narcotics were seized, and the suspect was indicted on capital murder.

    “I am immensely proud of the Deputy U.S. Marshals and the numerous task force officers of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, men and women who are fully devoted to making their communities safer for their fellow citizens by apprehending offenders wanted for the most serious crimes such as murder and child abuse, while ensuring the equal application of justice for all,” said Marshal Susan Pamerleau, U.S. Marshal of the Western District of Texas.  

    U.S. Marshals task forces combine the efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate and arrest the most dangerous fugitives. Fifty-eight local task forces are dedicated to reducing violent crime by locating and apprehending wanted criminals. They also serve as the central point for agencies to share information on fugitive matters.  Task force officers are state and local police officers who receive special deputations with the U.S. Marshals. While on a task force, these officers can exercise U.S. Marshals authorities, such as crossing jurisdictional lines.

    Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force across the Western District of Texas:

    • Austin Police Department-Tactical Intelligence Unit
    • Police Departments:  Anthony, Buffalo, Crystal City, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, El Paso, Georgetown, Killeen, New Braunfels, Nolanville, Round Rock, San Marcos, Uvalde, and Waco, Texas.
    • Sheriff’s Offices:  Bexar County, Coryell County, Dimmett County, Ector County, Hays County, McLennan County, Maverick County, Midland County, New Braunfels, Real County, Travis County, Val Verde County, Williamson County, and Zavala County.
    • District Attorney’s Offices: Bexar County, and Val Verde County.
    • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
    • Midland Fire Marshals Office
    • Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)
    • Texas Attorney General’s Office
    • Texas Board of Criminal Justice (TBCJ) – Office of the Inspector General (OIG)
    • Texas Department of Public Safety
    • Texas Parks and Wildlife Division
    • Texas National Guard Joint Counterdrug Task Force
    • U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement
    • U.S. DHS/Homeland Security Investigations

    MIL Security OSI –

    July 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Ghana’s security strategy has kept terror attacks at bay: what other countries can learn from its approach

    Source: The Conversation – Africa (2) – By Paa Kwesi Wolseley Prah, Postdoctoral Fellow, Dublin City University

    Ghana stands out in west Africa as a nation that has not experienced terrorist attacks, even though it’s geographically close to countries that have. In Burkina Faso, Mali and Nigeria, extremist groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP) have wreaked havoc.

    This resilience is not accidental. It is the result of deliberate counter-terrorism strategies employed by Ghana’s security institutions.

    Ghana’s counter-terrorism framework was set out in 2020. It has four pillars: prevent, pre-empt, protect, and respond. The idea is to coordinate multiple agencies, including the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Armed Forces and the National Intelligence Bureau.

    These pillars guide strategies to address both immediate threats and underlying vulnerabilities. Poverty, religious radicalism and porous borders are common drivers of terrorism in west Africa.

    I am an international security and global governance researcher. My co-author is a government and international studies scholar.

    Four years ago we wrote a paper examining Ghana’s resilience against terrorist attacks. Our findings are still relevant given the increasing activities of terror groups in the west African region.



    Read more:
    West Africa terror: why attacks on military bases are rising – and four ways to respond

    We wanted to identify what works as a potential model for other countries.

    Using a qualitative methodology, we interviewed stakeholders — including police officers, members of the armed forces, Muslim community leaders, and immigration officials. We also analysed the national framework for preventing and countering violent extremism and terrorism.

    Our findings showed that Ghana’s success is traceable to an approach that integrates community engagement with advanced border technology, inter-agency training, media collaboration and intelligence operations. And it addresses both immediate and underlying threats.

    We argue that Ghana’s ability to balance prevention with security offers solutions for stability in a geopolitically volatile region.



    Read more:
    Ghana’s new president faces tough regional security problems: why he’s well-placed to tackle them

    Community engagement

    One of the standout strategies is community engagement. This serves multiple purposes, from guiding people away from extremism to gathering intelligence.

    The Ghana Police Service, for instance, engages Muslim-dominated communities, known as “Zongos”, to counter radical Islamic ideologies that could be exploited by terrorist groups.

    By collaborating with local religious leaders, police make communities aware of the dangers of radicalisation. They foster trust and encourage residents to report suspicious activities. This approach also works in tackling illegal arms circulation.

    Ghana has an estimated 2.3 million small arms in circulation – 1.1 million of them illegally possessed. The availability of so many weapons fuels terrorist activities across west Africa.

    Community based de-radicalisation aligns with global best practices. In Norway, for instance, it was used to disengage youth from extremist groups.

    Technology at borders

    Ghana’s border control management is another part of its counter-terrorism strategy. Ghana Immigration Service uses advanced security software and integrated systems like the “Immigration 360” system, designed to fully automate passenger processing and data management.

    The system manages records of fingerprints and other data to improve reporting and intelligence sharing between Ghana Immigration and other security agencies.

    The technology makes it possible to quickly identity individuals on terrorist watchlists and detects concealed goods. This helps prevent illegal cross-border movements.

    There are gaps in Ghana’s defences, however. The influx of migrants fleeing extremist violence in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger in 2024 highlights the urgency of scaling up investments in the technology.



    Read more:
    West Africa could soon have a jihadist state – here’s why

    Training for preparedness

    Ghana combats new and varying forms of terrorism by uncovering trends and training personnel to deal with them.

    A notable example was the six-day joint training in 2022 involving the Ghana Immigration Service, Police Service, Customs, Economic and Organised Crime Office, and the National Intelligence Bureau.

    The country also works with regional neighbours like Burkina Faso, Togo and Benin, and partners such as the United States, through initiatives like “Operation Epic Guardian”.

    Media as a strategic partner

    Terrorists rely on media to amplify fear and publicise their causes. Ghana’s security agencies counter this tactic by actively engaging media houses to report accurately.

    The Ghana Armed Forces, for instance, works with media to debunk false reports, which can cause public panic and inadvertently aid terrorists.

    The Ghana Police Service emphasises regular dialogue with media to ensure sensitive information is verified before publication, reducing the risk of tipping off suspects. However, media competition for viewers poses a challenge.

    Surveillance and intelligence gathering

    Surveillance and intelligence gathering is critical. Plainclothes armed forces and immigration personnel blend into communities to monitor potential threats. The approach has worked but is constrained by resources.

    It can also risk human rights violations, such as wrongful profiling, and is less effective against multiple targets compared to technological solutions like facial recognition or CCTV.



    Read more:
    Funding terror: how west Africa’s deadly jihadists get the money they need to survive

    Challenges and regional implications

    Despite its successes, Ghana’s counter-terrorism framework faces challenges that could undermine its long-term efficacy:

    • logistical and financial constraints

    • the influx of migrants fleeing regional violence

    • a lack of harmonised security cultures within the regional body, Ecowas.

    In all, Ghana’s strategies offer lessons for west Africa, where terrorism is a growing threat.

    Its community engagement model could be followed in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to counter radicalisation and arms proliferation, provided it avoids religious stereotyping.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Ghana’s security strategy has kept terror attacks at bay: what other countries can learn from its approach – https://theconversation.com/ghanas-security-strategy-has-kept-terror-attacks-at-bay-what-other-countries-can-learn-from-its-approach-260333

    MIL OSI Analysis –

    July 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: CBSA seizes 187.5 kg of cocaine at the Ambassador Bridge leading to criminal charges by the RCMP

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    July 22, 2025    Windsor, Ontario    Canada Border Services Agency 

    On May 23, 2025, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) border services officers at the Ambassador Bridge port of entry intercepted 187.5 kg of suspected cocaine concealed in the trailer of a commercial truck coming into Canada from the United States. 

    During a secondary examination of the trailer, CBSA officers discovered 2 suitcases and 5 garbage bags containing 161 bricks of suspected cocaine. The approximate value of the cocaine is $23.4 million.  

    CBSA officers seized the drugs and arrested the driver, Kambiz Karandish, 55, of Richmond Hill, Ontario, and transferred him and the suspected cocaine to the custody of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Karandish has been charged by the RCMP with Importation of Cocaine, and Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

    The CBSA and the RCMP are committed to protecting our communities from harmful contraband and organized crime. 

    The investigation is ongoing. 

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    July 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hongkong Post cyberattack probed

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Hongkong Post said today that Police have initiated investigation into an incident involving an unauthorised party cyberattacking the EC-Ship system with countless attempts at midnight on July 20 and the following day to access and retrieve information through the system’s address book function.

    Hongkong Post has notified all affected account holders by email, reminding them to remain vigilant and immediately inform people in their address books of the incident.

    The services concerned have resumed normal and account holders can continue to use the services, it added.

    For enquiries, call 2921 2222.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    July 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Eurojust helps catch alleged author of threatening emails to schools in Czechia, Slovakia and Latvia

    Source: European Union 2

    Eurojust has assisted the authorities in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Latvia with the apprehension of the alleged perpetrator who was responsible for sending thousands of emails in September last year threatening schools with explosions. The mass threats, which were also sent to other educational institutions and leisure centres, caused major public concern and led to the suspension of classes at the beginning of the school year.

    Eurojust supported the national authorities involved by setting up a joint investigation team (JIT) dedicated to the case, as well as providing additional cross-border judicial support.

    The alleged perpetrator also used the social network Telegram to spread his threats. He was apprehended in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro last week but was released pending potential further steps to be taken by the authorities.

    © Dnipropetrovsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office

    Given the mass scale of the threats at the same time across three countries, the police authorities involved coordinated their investigations, assisted by the setting up of the JIT. The joint investigative efforts, using the cybercrime expertise of the police, led to the identification of an alleged perpetrator, operating from the Ukrainian city of Dnipro.

    With the participation of Czech and Slovak police officers, a joint action took place in Dnipro last week, during which the alleged perpetrator was apprehended and one individual was questioned. Furthermore, two locations were searched, which led to the seizure of computer equipment.

    Thanks to the good and close cooperation of all the authorities concerned, the operation was successfully carried out under extremely difficult circumstances, very close to the frontline of the war in Ukraine, with Ukrainian, Czech and Slovak officers exposed to heavy risks.

    Eurojust offered support not only through the establishment of the JIT but also by organising a coordination meeting to prepare for the joint action day in Ukraine. The operation was carried out at the request of and by the following authorities:

    • Czech Republic: High Public Prosecutor’s Office in Prague; National Counterterrorism, Extremism and Cybercrime Agency (NCTEKK)
    • Latvia: Rīga Pārdaugava Prosecution Office; 1st Unit of Cybercrime Enforcement Department of the Central Criminal Police Department of the State Police
    • Slovakia: General Prosecutor´s Office of the Slovak Republic; Police Department West, Anti-Crime Unit, Bureau for Combating Organized Crime of the Presidium of the Police Corps (Police ACU); Counter Terrorism Centre, Presidium of the Police Corps
    • Ukraine: Dnipropetrovsk regional Prosecutor’s Office; Main Department of National Police in Dnipropetrovsk region; Division for Combating Cybercrime in Dnipropetrovsk region of the Cyber Police Department of National Police of Ukraine

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Forensic Science Regulator appointed for England and Wales

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    New Forensic Science Regulator appointed for England and Wales

    The regulator ensures that the highest standards in forensic science are met across the criminal justice system.

    Dr Marc Bailey has been appointed as the Forensic Science Regulator for England and Wales.

    Dr Bailey is a scientist who has significant regulatory experience. He has held multiple roles within the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and led international research in quality systems and standardisation, including whilst working at the National Physical Laboratory.

    The Forensic Science Regulator is responsible for ensuring that the provision of forensic science services across England and Wales meet the highest standards of quality and integrity. This includes assessing compliance, providing advice to ministers, setting quality standards and ensuring that all forensic science providers adhere to these standards.

    Dr Bailey will work closely with the police, forensic science providers and the legal profession to ensure that forensic science in England and Wales remains at the forefront of innovation and reliability.

    Dr Bailey will officially assume his duties after Gary Pugh’s term concludes on 25 July 2025.

    Crime and Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson said:

    Dr Bailey is going to bring a wealth of experience and expertise as the new Forensic Science Regulator.

    This pivotal role is essential in ensuring the highest standards of forensic science are upheld.

    By setting rigorous standards and providing robust oversight, the Forensic Science Regulator will continue to ensure that forensic science supports the work of the police, allowing them to investigate crimes and bring justice for victims.

    I’d like to thank Gary Pugh for his previous work in this role.

    Dr Bailey said:

    I am delighted to be appointed to the post of Forensic Science Regulator.

    I look forward to enacting and developing the regulation of Forensic Science and working with the team that support my role to ensure that the criminal justice system has full confidence in forensic science evidence.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 22 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    July 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Gary Man Sentenced to 480 Months in Prison

    Source: US FBI

    HAMMOND- Yesterday, Taquan Clarke, age 31, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after a jury found him guilty of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and using a firearm to commit murder, following a 6-day jury trial, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.

    Clarke was sentenced to 480 months in prison for using a firearm to commit murder.  He was also sentenced to 240 months in prison for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine.  He was also sentenced to 3 years of supervised release.  Both sentences are to run concurrently. 

    According to documents in the case, between June 2016 and February 2018, Taquan Clarke and numerous others conspired to possess and possess with intent to distribute cocaine.  On July 28, 2017, Clarke was involved in a plot to rob an individual of cocaine and money.  During this attempted robbery, Clarke shot the victim, K.H., in the head, resulting in K.H.’s death. 

    “Taquan Clarke cut short the life of another man,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Proctor.  “Thanks to the coordinated efforts of law enforcement, he has been brought to justice for that act.  It is an honor to serve with the dedicated agents, officers, and prosecutors who made that happen.”

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Gang Response Investigative Team, the Gary Police Department, and the Lake County Sheriff’s Department.  The trial was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys David J. Nozick and Caitlin M. Padula.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    MIL Security OSI –

    July 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Men charged in connection to Grindr targeted burglaries across London

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Met Police detectives investigating a series of burglaries across London where victims were allegedly targeted on the social dating app Grindr have charged four men.

    The group is alleged to have carried out 35 burglaries and 20 related frauds between October 2024 and March this year relating to 22 victims.

    Rahmat Khan Mohammadi, 22 (28.10.02), of Weald Lane in Harrow, was arrested on Thursday, 3 April and charged on Saturday, 5 April with one count of theft, 17 counts of burglary and 12 fraud offences.

    He appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, 5 April where he was remanded in custody to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, 25 July.

    Mohammed Bilal Hotak, 21 (01.01.04), of Richmond Road in Hackney, was arrested on Thursday, 24 April and charged the following day on Friday, 25 April.

    He appeared alongside Mohammadi at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, 23 May charged with one count of theft, 14 burglaries and nine fraud offences.

    He was also remanded in custody to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, 25 July.

    Mozamel Rahman, 29 (01.03.97), of Sefton Avenue, Harrow, was arrested on Monday, 7 April and charged with three counts of burglary and two fraud offences on Thursday, 26 June.

    He appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 11 July where he was bailed to attend the same court on Friday, 8 August.

    Ibrahim Yaqobie, 28 (15.02.98), of Masons Avenue in Harrow, was arrested on Wednesday, 9 April and charged on Wednesday, 9 July with the same offences as Rahman.

    He has been bailed to appear at Willesden Magistrates Court on Friday, 8 August.

    A trial date for both Mohammadi and Hotak has been set for Monday, 13 October at Isleworth Crown Court.

    MIL Security OSI –

    July 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Hermandad de Pistoleros Latinos gang member sentenced to 100 months for heroin trafficking

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    LAREDO, Texas – A 33-year-old Laredo man has been sentenced for possession with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Raul Garcia Jr. aka Rule pleaded guilty Aug. 6. 2024.

    U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison has now ordered Garcia to serve 100 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by four years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard about Garcia’s numerous prior convictions and contacts with law enforcement. In handing down the sentence, the court noted this was a serious crime.

    The investigation began in January 2024 when law enforcement learned Garcia may have been selling fentanyl in the Laredo area. Over the next three months, authorities discovered Garcia was selling narcotics out of his home.

    A search warrant in March of that year resulted in the discovery of heroin packaged for street sale. A month later, law enforcement obtained a second search warrant and again found heroin. Similar to previously found drugs, the heroin was also packaged for street sale.

    The searches also revealed methamphetamine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana, money and stolen firearm.

    At the time of his plea, Garcia admitted to possessing the drugs located and seized throughout the investigation.

    He will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

    The Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Laredo Police Department’s Narcotics Division conducted the investigation with assistance from Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations and Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven Chamberlin and Leslie Cortez prosecuted the case.

    This case is being prosecuted as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF is the largest anti-crime task force in the country. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.

    MIL Security OSI –

    July 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Spree of Violent Robberies Nets Previously Convicted Killer an Additional 42 Months in Federal Prison

    Source: US FBI

                WASHINGTON – Glenn Dolford, 32, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 42 months in federal prison for his role in a spree of Hobbs Act offenses that included the violent robberies in June 2020 of a Maryland pharmacy and a Maryland phone store, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

                Dolford pleaded guilty on February 28, 2025, before U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson to two counts of interference with interstate commerce by threat or violence. In addition to the prison term, Judge Berman Jackson ordered three years of supervised release.

                Joining in the announcement was FBI Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen of the Washington Field Office.

                Dolford was previously convicted in 2023 of second-degree murder while armed, aggravated assault while armed, and assault with a deadly weapon for killing one man and shooting two others on Super Bowl Sunday in February 2020. For those crimes he was arrested in June 2020 and sentenced in June 2023 to more than 22 years in prison.

                According to court documents, on June 8, 2020, Dolford and three co-conspirators traveled from the District to a CVS Pharmacy in Nottingham, Maryland. As one subject stayed in their car, Dolford and two others entered the store. As a store employee was attempting to run away from the subjects, Dolford threw him to the floor, punched him in the head, and held him down with his foot on the employee’s back.

                Dolford’s two co-conspirators demanded narcotics and ordered another employee to empty the safe and hand over his phone and wallet. Dolford and the co-conspirators fled in a silver VW Jetta with $1,000 worth of hydrocodone and the one employee’s personal items.

                On June 9, 2020, Dolford and two co-conspirators traveled from the District to a T-Mobile store in College Park. Dolford forced the store employees to the back of the store as another conspirator said “give me all the phones or I’ll kill you.” Dolford and his co-conspirators fled the store in a silver VW Jetta with phones valued at about $20,000.

                Investigators determined Dolford rented the silver Jetta on May 28, 2020, from Enterprise Rent-a-Car. In June 2023, Dolford was indicted in U.S. District Court on Conspiracy and Hobbs Act robbery charges for his involvement in the June 8 and 9 robberies.

                Co-defendant Floyd Neal, 32, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced on July 17, 2024, to more than 157 months in prison for his role in a rash of 2021 gunpoint robberies of pharmacies in Maryland and Virginia.

                Co-defendant Ashawntea Henderson, 32, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced on Feb. 18, 2025, to 52 months in federal prison for participating in an early morning robbery of a drug store at the Jersey Shore. During the May 2020 robbery, he and his co-conspirators jumped the counter, overpowered the night pharmacist, stole thousands of prescription narcotics, and then – as they attempted to flee to the District – crashed into a responding police cruiser.

                This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Violent Crimes Task Force, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the Prince George’s County Police Department. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cameron Tepfer, Kyle McWaters, Sarah Martin, and Josh Gold.

    23cr190

    MIL Security OSI –

    July 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Law Enforcement, Community Partners to Host National Night Out Event in East St. Louis

    Source: US FBI

    EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – To strengthen relationships between residents and law enforcement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Illinois, event organizers and police officials are inviting the East St. Louis community to a free event with activities for attendees of all ages to celebrate National Night Out.

    The event will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5 at 8206 State St. in East St. Louis.

    Community partners will give out school supplies to students, provide food to families and offer an array of activities like competitive games, police demonstrations, and a live DJ. This National Night Out is a free event for East St. Louis residents.

    Ameren Illinois, ATF, Catholic Urban Programs, the City of East St. Louis, Community Development Sustainable Solutions, Community Life Line, DEA, the East St. Louis Police Department, the FBI Springfield Field Office, Illinois State Police, IRS Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service are partnering to host the event.

    National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes community partnerships with police and neighborhood camaraderie.

    MIL Security OSI –

    July 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: City of Wanneroo adopts 2025/26 budget

    Source: South Australia Police

    The City of Wanneroo has adopted its 2025/26 budget, prioritising a range of services and facilities to keep our community connected, safe and sustainable.

    Council adopted a 3.5 per cent rate increase across all rating categories, and a 3 per cent increase for residential ratepayers which amounts to less than $1 per week for most homeowners.

    Mayor Linda Aitken said the $353.4 million budget included a $132.6 million capital works program and investment in a range of community services and facilities to benefit all residents.

    “We are committed to providing the programs, services, facilities and infrastructure our community needs and expects, while remaining mindful of the cost-of-living challenges people are facing,” she said.

    “As one of Australia’s fastest-growing local government areas, we have a duty to ensure value for money for our ratepayers. Half of this year’s budget is funded from sources beyond rates, thanks to strong partnerships and a strategic focus on alternative revenue streams.”

    “The City looks forward to delivering on this budget and continuing to build a thriving, inclusive and sustainable City for the generations to come.”

    2025/26 capital works program highlights

    Community recreation and facilities

    Over the next 12 months, the City will spend $60.9 million on upgrades to existing sporting facilities and the construction of new facilities to ensure local families and sporting clubs can stay healthy, active and connected.

    This includes $48.9 million to progress the construction of the Alkimos Aquatic and Recreation Centre.

    A $1.3 million investment will progress the design of a new sports hub for the Wanneroo Recreation Centre, a further $470,000 will progress a new amenities building at Abbeville Park in Mindarie, and $230,000 for an extension to the existing Wanneroo Showgrounds Clubrooms.

    Construction of the highly anticipated Dordaak Kepup library and youth innovation hub is scheduled for completion, with the $18 million Landsdale facility set to open its doors in December 2025.

    $1.6 million will support upgrades to Gumblossom Community Centre in Quinns Rocks, Yanchep Community Centre, Carramar Community and Butler Community Centre.

    An additional $1 million will support the Girrawheen Hub Redevelopment project.

    Waste management

    We’ve allocated $4.4 million to support more sustainable and efficient waste management processes. Funding will progress the development of a recycling centre in Neerabup and waste transfer stations in Neerabup and Wangara.

    Community safety

    We’re investing $3.7 million to community safety measures this year, including $1.6 million to upgrade the Two Rocks Bush Fire Brigade.

    We’ll also spend $1.6 million to commence detailed design for the Wanneroo Emergency Services Precinct, to ensure the City is better prepared for bushfires and other emergencies.

    Parks, playgrounds and pathways

    We’re committing $6.7 million towards park and playground upgrades, to ensure the community can enjoy our City’s natural environment. This work will include replacing playground equipment, shade structures, picnic shelters, barbecues and drink fountains.

    A $515,000 investment will provide new play spaces at Rotary Park, and $320,000 will complete the construction of new toilet facilities at Amery Park in Hocking.

    We’ve allocated $6.7 million to new and upgraded pathways and trails across the City, including new shared paths in Alexander Heights and from Butler to Alkimos Station.

    A further $815,000 will provide pathway lighting at Kingsbridge, Chesterfield, Brampton, Lighthouse and Delamere parks.

    Local roads

    With a focus on creating a safe and connected City, we’ve allocated $18.2 million this year to road upgrades and traffic treatments.

    This includes $4.8 million for Flynn Drive upgrades between Mather Drive and Old Yanchep Road.

    We’re also spending $1.3 million on upgrades to the intersection of Marangaroo Drive and Girrawheen Avenue, and $750,000 on the construction of a dual carriageway between Marmion Avenue to Spinnaker Boulevard on Yanchep Beach Road.

    In additional to the budget, the City is launching a new online payment portal this August, providing residents with a more flexible and user-friendly way to manage their rates.

    The portal offers a variety of automated payment options, such as weekly, fortnightly or monthly direct debit payments, depending on what suits your budget.

    For more information on the City’s 2025/26 budget and or the online payment portal, visit wanneroo.wa.gov.au/budget.

    Please note, some figures have been rounded to nearest decimal whole number.

     

    MIL OSI News –

    July 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Breakthrough arrests in DJ Sumbody murder case

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Tuesday, July 22, 2025

    Four men have been arrested in connection with the murder of Oupa John Sefoka, popularly known as DJ Sumbody.

    Sefoka was killed in a shooting in November 2022.

    The National Commissioner of the South Africa Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, has welcomed the latest breakthrough by the SAPS Political Killings Task Team working closely with Gauteng Organised Crime Detectives.

    Gauteng organised crime detectives worked on the case and later roped in the SAPS Political Killings Task Team.

    “The arrests were all effected in Gauteng on Monday afternoon and three of the suspects are believed to be hitmen and one is believed to have ordered the hit on the DJ.

    “The weapon allegedly used in the commission of the crime was seized and has since been linked to other murders,” said the police in a statement.

    All four suspects, aged between 45 and 60, are in police custody and are expected to appear in court soon. They are facing charges including murder and conspiracy to commit murder. 

    Masemola said this was a significant breakthrough that would hopefully provide closure to families involved.

    “Well done to the teams that have been piecing together evidence since November 2022. This is a culmination of hard work and dedication to justice. This is one of those complex cases that our teams needed to take their time in ensuring a thorough investigation so that we could ultimately bring a strong case before court,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

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    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Joint Meeting of Police and Justice Committees Adopts Report on Ad Hoc Committee to Consider Mkhwanazi Allegations

    Source: APO – Report:

    .

    A joint meeting between the Portfolio Committee on Police and the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development today officially adopted its report recommending to the National Assembly (NA) that an Ad Hoc Committee should be established to consider allegations made by the South African Police Service KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkwanazi.

    The report reflects the committees’ considered view that an Ad Hoc Committee represents the most effective Parliamentary mechanism to fully investigate and deliberate on the matters raised. The committees recommended the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee in accordance with NA Rule 253, indicating that the scope of such a committee is task specific and time bound, contrary to the general oversight function of portfolio committees which, in contrast, is ongoing and often requires juggling competing priorities. The report also emphasised the need for the NA to ensure an expeditious process.

    Without being prescriptive, the committees propose that the NA takes into account, should it resolve to establish an Ad Hoc Committee as recommended, the need for the process to be concluded within 90 days of the committee being established, provided that the timeframe may be amended or extended if necessary.

    Given the gravity of the allegations and their potential implications for the rule of law, governance, and accountability within the criminal justice sector, the committees have resolved that a focused, multi-party Ad Hoc Committee will ensure a transparent, thorough and fair process. The committees further noted that actual composition of such a committee, as well as its terms of reference, does not reside with the joint meeting.

    The meeting has reiterated Parliament’s constitutional responsibility to exercise oversight over state institutions and to uphold the principles of justice, integrity and accountability. The committees also reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that this matter is handled with the seriousness it deserves and in line with the Constitution and the rules of Parliament.

    The report adopted today will be submitted to the NA for consideration.

    – on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Over 2 300 quality job vacancies to be offered at Building a Multicultural Workplace Job Fair

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    The Labour Department (LD) will hold the Building a Multicultural Workplace Job Fair at MacPherson Stadium in Mong Kok on July 24 and 25. The job fair aims to enhance the employment opportunities of job seekers, including those from ethnic minorities, and promote the LD’s employment services to them.

         The two-day job fair is jointly organised by the LD and the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) Ethnic Minorities Committee, with the Equal Opportunities Commission as the co-organiser. About 50 organisations will participate in the job fair, offering over 2 300 quality job vacancies. Around 25 organisations will set up booths and conduct recruitment on the spot each day. A wide variety of positions will be offered, including engineer, accountant, human resources officer, guest services officer, administrative assistant, clerk, aircraft maintenance mechanic trainee, railway technical trainee, technical manager, system analyst, equestrian assistant, barista, spa therapist, nail technician trainee and lifeguard. Job seekers can visit the LD’s Interactive Employment Service website (www.jobs.gov.hk) for more details on the vacancies.

         Four major disciplinary forces, namely the Correctional Services Department, the Fire Services Department, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Immigration Department, will set up counters to introduce their career opportunities and entry requirements. In addition, the DAB Ethnic Minorities Committee will introduce its support services for people from ethnic minorities at the job fair. Training bodies will also provide information on training courses to visitors. On-site interpretation services in Hindi, Urdu and Nepali will be available. During the job fair on July 24, career talks on various professions will also be held.

         Around 93 per cent of the vacancies offered at the job fair are full-time jobs. Most vacancies offer monthly salaries ranging from $12,000 to $22,000. About 90 per cent of the vacancies require a Secondary Seven education level or below. Around 66 per cent are open to job seekers without relevant work experience.

         Job seekers can submit job applications during the event and may be selected for on-the-spot interviews. They can also make enquiries about the employment services provided by the LD at its counter at the venue.

         The job fair will be held from 11am to 5.30pm at 1/F, MacPherson Stadium, 38 Nelson Street, Mong Kok (near Mong Kok MTR Station Exit E2). Admission is free, with final admission time at 5pm each day.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    July 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Special traffic and transport arrangements for football matches and training sessions at Kai Tak Sports Park and Hong Kong Stadium between July 24 and 31

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         The Transport Department (TD) today (July 22) said that, to facilitate the holding of football matches and training sessions on specific dates in designated venues between July 24 and 31, the following special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in the vicinity of the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) and the Hong Kong Stadium (HKS) to provide convenience for spectators to travel to and from the venues:

    Open training sessions

    Prior to the matches, open training sessions of the football clubs will be held at the KTSP around the evening of July 24, 29 and 30 and the HKS on the evening of July 25.

    As the dispersal time of the events will fall within the evening peak hours, the MTR will enhance the service headway of the Tuen Ma Line (TML) and the Island Line on respective days as needed to meet the passenger demand. The Police will implement temporary road closure and traffic diversion measures in the vicinity of the KTSP (depending on actual traffic and crowd conditions) and the HKS. Members of the public should heed advice from on-site police.

    Football matches

         Football matches will be held on the evening of July 26 and 31 at the KTSP. As the traffic in the vicinity is expected to be heavy, spectators should opt for public transport and avoid taking private cars (including cross-boundary private cars).

         The TD has co-ordinated with local and cross-boundary public transport operators (PTOs) to strengthen their services during dispersal. The MTR will enhance the interval between trains of the TML. Franchised bus companies will provide a total of 11 special bus routes at the Sung Wong Toi Road Pick-up/Drop-off Area (PUDOA) to Lok Ma Chau (San Tin) Public Transport Interchange (PTI), the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Port and Airport, and major districts across the territory.

         In addition, the KTSP will arrange cross-boundary coach services during dispersal to facilitate travellers’ return to the Mainland via the Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang (LMC/HG) Port, the HZMB and the Shenzhen Bay Port. Passengers should purchase tickets in advance. On-site ticket sales will not be available during dispersal. They should refer to the operators’ website (Eternal East Bus: www.myeebus.com/eebusfans; CTG Bus: m.hkctgbus.com/#/layout/home) for the latest ticket information.

         For taxi services, the Kai Tak Stadium Taxi PUDOA will be open for taxi pick-up and drop-off. The Sung Wong Toi Road PUDOA will be open for taxi drop-off only during admission (4pm to 7.30pm) and suspended from taxi pick-up/drop-off during dispersal. The expected waiting time will be longer amid an outflux of spectators and passengers’ patience is appreciated.

         Spectators who plan to return to the Mainland on the same day after the matches should pay special attention that, if they use the Lo Wu Control Point, they should catch the last relevant MTR TML train departing from Sung Wong Toi Station at 10.59pm and Kai Tak Station at 11.01pm, followed by interchanging at Tai Wai Station on the East Rail Line (ERL) to Lo Wu Station. Travellers should plan their journeys ahead and arrive at the station platform in advance.

         Travellers who opt for LMC/HG Port (operating 24 hours daily) may also take the ERL to Sheung Shui Station and then the KMB route No. 276B or N73, or take the special bus route No. SP12 directly at the Sung Wong Toi Road PUDOA to the Lok Ma Chau (San Tin) PTI, and transfer to the LMC-HG cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus) for their journey to the Mainland.

    For details of the special traffic and transport arrangements, members of the public may refer to the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk), the “HKeMobility” mobile application or passenger notices issued by PTOs as well as the latest traffic news through radio and television broadcasts. Spectators at the KTSP are advised to heed the real-time information via the on-site broadcast and the “Easy Leave” platform (easyleave.police.gov.hk).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    July 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Police remind public of establishment of temporary restricted flying zones

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         The Hong Kong Police Force today (July 22) reminded members of the public that temporary restricted flying zones (RFZs) will be established in the area around the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground and the Hong Kong Stadium from today to July 31, in order to facilitate special events and ensure public safety. No small unmanned aircraft (SUA), except those authorised, will be permitted to enter these zones.

         The two temporary RFZs will cover areas extending two kilometers outwards from the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground and the Hong Kong Stadium respectively (see the area marked in red in the attachment). The effective dates and times are as follows:

    Area around the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground
    ————————————————

    • From 9.15am to 1.30pm on July 22, 24 to 26;
    • From 9.15am to 1.30pm, and from 4pm to 7.30pm on July 23; and
    • From 8.30am to 1.40pm between July 29 and 31

    Area around the Hong Kong Stadium
    —————————————

    • From 8.30am to 1pm, and from 6.30pm to 9.30pm on July 25; and
    • From 8.30am to 1.30pm on July 31

         Details of the temporary RFZs will be shown on the electronic portal for small unmanned aircraft “eSUA”. The Police reminded the public that any person who operates an SUA within an RFZ without permission shall be liable on conviction to a fine of $100 000 and to imprisonment for two years.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    July 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa’s police serve the ANC insiders, not the people: here’s how it happened

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Ivor Chipkin, Professional Professor, GIBS, University of Pretoria

    After South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994, there was significant optimism about police reform in the country. Impressive steps were taken to bring the South African Police Service under civilian control and to create a service responsive to calls for assistance from the public.

    During the apartheid period, South Africa’s police worked to preserve the political order and pursue political opponents. It did not focus on dealing with crime. This is why the achievements of the 1990s are so important. For the first time, black South Africans could call upon officers to respond to personal emergencies. This period also saw a drop in crime levels.

    However, this promising early transformation was interrupted. The appointment of Jackie Selebi as national police commissioner in 2000 heralded a new era. Selebi was an African National Congress (ANC) insider. The ANC originated as a liberation movement and has governed the country since 1994.

    Selebi had served as the head of the ANC’s Youth League in the 1980s, when it was banned. In 1987 he was appointed to the organisation’s national executive committee, its highest decision-making organ.

    His appointment as police commissioner was the start of significant change in the purpose of policing. It marked the end of the focus on civilian control of the police force and prosecuting authorities. As an ANC insider, Selebi led efforts to establish party control over the police.

    This politicisation gained momentum over the next two decades. In the early years it was exemplified by the suspension of the head of the National Prosecuting Authority, Advocate Vusi Pikoli,, by then president Thabo Mbeki, amid corruption allegations against Selebi himself.

    Other telling developments ensued. The Scorpions were disbanded in 2009 by acting president Kgalema Motlanthe. The unit’s job was to pursue high-profile cases against senior ANC politicians (among others).

    The police became increasingly entangled in the ANC’s internal political conflicts. At the same time the office of the national police commissioner experienced high turnover due to intense political manoeuvring. Between 2009 and 2022, there were seven national commissioners.

    Recent developments have once again brought the intermingling of police work and power battles in the ANC to the fore. In early July 2025, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the commissioner of police in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, made some startling claims. He called a press conference and, wearing camouflage uniform, he implicated the minister of police, Senzo Mchunu, together with the deputy national commissioner for crime detection, in a scheme to close down investigations into political assassinations in the province.

    President Cyril Ramaphosa rushed back from a meeting of the Brics countries in Brazil to attend to the matter. He announced that the police minister had been placed on leave with immediate effect. He also announced a judicial inquiry into the allegations.

    I have conducted research into South Africa’s security apparatus over the last decade. Based on this work, and new research forthcoming in the Journal of Southern African Studies done with Jelena Vidojevic, co-founder of the New South Institute, it is clear that elite contestation in the ANC is intensifying.

    In other words, the ability of internal party structures to manage gatekeeping is declining. Many of the people involved are indifferent or even hostile to South Africa’s democratic and constitutional order.

    As the ability of some political elites to access state resources through the party declines, some are linked with organised criminal networks. Organised crime has been on the edges of South African politics. It now risks taking a more central role.

    In this environment, the police service will often be the thin (blue) line between multiparty contestation according to constitutional rules and the criminalisation of politics in South Africa.

    The shift

    Large organisational changes within the police vividly illustrate this shift away from its core function.

    The Visible Policing programme was meant to meant to deter crime through patrols, checkpoints and roadblocks. But, instead, there was a steady decline in resource allocation. Employee numbers dropped between 2015 and 2021.

    Detective services and crime intelligence also experienced such declines.

    Conversely, employee numbers in the Protection and Security Services programme, responsible for providing bodyguards to politicians, increased sharply between 2014 and 2016.

    Evidence heard by the commission of inquiry into state capture suggested that some officers and budgets in the service were even used to supply President Jacob Zuma and other politicians with what amounted to a private militia.

    This reorientation of resources coincided with a rise in crime across the country, a decline in arrests by 24.5%, and a drop in the police’s efficacy in solving crimes.

    Furthermore, a politicised police leadership effectively stopped policing various categories of crime. This was particularly true of offences like fraud, corruption, and certain types of theft, and particularly when politically connected persons were involved.

    The state capture commission heard extensive evidence about the failure of the police to pursue politically sensitive investigations. Investigations into senior officials were frequently frustrated or impeded, and cases at state-owned enterprises were abandoned.

    This shows how police resources were actively redirected as weapons of elite competition, pursuing political enemies and protecting allies within the ruling party.

    Mkhwanazi’s claims, if substantiated, suggest that this political policing remains entrenched.

    What now?

    Ramaphosa has announced the appointment of Firoz Cachalia as the acting minister of police. Cachalia, a well regarded legal academic, served as ANC minister for community safety. Between 2019 and 2022 he was part of the ANC’s national executive committee.

    His appointment raises serious questions.

    If the core problem with the police is that it has become embroiled in ANC internal politics, having an ANC insider head the ministry of police (even if only on an acting basis) threatens only to compound the problem.

    Moreover, South Africans have already witnessed a long and expensive judicial inquiry into state capture. And despite extensive evidence of police failure to pursue politically sensitive investigations, nothing concrete has come of it.

    How likely is it that this new initiative will be any different, especially if those investigating it and presiding over key institutions are themselves ANC insiders?

    To depoliticise the police service and redirect its attention and activities towards crime and emergencies, a crucial first step is to reconsider the appointment processes for the national police commissioner and other top managers.

    Under the current system the president has sole discretion. This bakes party-political considerations into the decision-making process.

    Without structural changes, genuine democratic policing will remain an elusive ideal.

    In 2024/25 the murder rate in South Africa stood at 42 per 100,000, among the highest in the world and close to levels not seen since the early 2000s.

    At the very least, the minister of police must not be an ANC insider. Democratic renewal in South Africa requires bringing the police firmly under parliamentary control.

    – South Africa’s police serve the ANC insiders, not the people: here’s how it happened
    – https://theconversation.com/south-africas-police-serve-the-anc-insiders-not-the-people-heres-how-it-happened-261301

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Gauteng Legislature urges swift action following mass shooting incident

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Tuesday, July 22, 2025

    The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has called for an intensified clampdown on illegal taverns following a shooting at a local tavern in Olievenhoutbosch.

    Preliminary reports suggest that some five people were left dead and three others injured when ten people entered the tavern and fired indiscriminately at patrons.

    “While the motive behind the attack remains under investigation, early indications suggest possible links to ongoing turf wars involving illegal foreign nationals allegedly connected to illicit mining operations. It has also been reported that the tavern was operating without the required licenses and that its owner is an undocumented foreign national.

    “This incident underscores the urgent need for law enforcement and local authorities to intensify efforts to shut down illegal establishments operating outside the bounds of regulatory and legal frameworks,” the committee said in a statement on Monday.

    Those with any information relating to Friday’s tragedy are urged to report it to police.
    “The committee views this brutal attack as a direct assault on the rule of law and a grave threat to the safety and well-being of Gauteng residents and South Africans at large. It also evokes painful memories of previous mass shootings in the province, including the 2022 Orlando tavern massacre and the 2023 Daveyton tragedy.

    “In light of this, the [committee]…appeals to members of the Olievenhoutbosch community and the broader public to assist in bringing the perpetrators to justice. The fight against crime cannot be won by the police alone. The more the community gets involved, the greater the chances of success.

    “No piece of information is too small, and all tips will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. Anyone with information is urged to contact the South African Police Service immediately,” the statement read.

    Furthermore, police were urged to prioritise the case and “ensure the swift apprehension of the suspects who continue to undermine public safety and the rule of law”.

    “While acknowledging the complex socio-economic factors that contribute to migration, the Committee remains deeply concerned about the involvement of some undocumented foreign nationals in serious and violent crimes. 

    “It urges law enforcement agencies to strengthen efforts to curb illegal activities perpetrated by individuals operating outside the country’s legal and immigration laws,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

    Share this post:

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: South Africa’s police serve the ANC insiders, not the people: here’s how it happened

    Source: The Conversation – Africa (2) – By Ivor Chipkin, Professional Professor, GIBS, University of Pretoria

    After South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994, there was significant optimism about police reform in the country. Impressive steps were taken to bring the South African Police Service under civilian control and to create a service responsive to calls for assistance from the public.

    During the apartheid period, South Africa’s police worked to preserve the political order and pursue political opponents. It did not focus on dealing with crime. This is why the achievements of the 1990s are so important. For the first time, black South Africans could call upon officers to respond to personal emergencies. This period also saw a drop in crime levels.

    However, this promising early transformation was interrupted. The appointment of Jackie Selebi as national police commissioner in 2000 heralded a new era. Selebi was an African National Congress (ANC) insider. The ANC originated as a liberation movement and has governed the country since 1994.

    Selebi had served as the head of the ANC’s Youth League in the 1980s, when it was banned. In 1987 he was appointed to the organisation’s national executive committee, its highest decision-making organ.

    His appointment as police commissioner was the start of significant change in the purpose of policing. It marked the end of the focus on civilian control of the police force and prosecuting authorities. As an ANC insider, Selebi led efforts to establish party control over the police.

    This politicisation gained momentum over the next two decades. In the early years it was exemplified by the suspension of the head of the National Prosecuting Authority, Advocate Vusi Pikoli,, by then president Thabo Mbeki, amid corruption allegations against Selebi himself.

    Other telling developments ensued. The Scorpions were disbanded in 2009 by acting president Kgalema Motlanthe. The unit’s job was to pursue high-profile cases against senior ANC politicians (among others).

    The police became increasingly entangled in the ANC’s internal political conflicts. At the same time the office of the national police commissioner experienced high turnover due to intense political manoeuvring. Between 2009 and 2022, there were seven national commissioners.

    Recent developments have once again brought the intermingling of police work and power battles in the ANC to the fore. In early July 2025, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the commissioner of police in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, made some startling claims. He called a press conference and, wearing camouflage uniform, he implicated the minister of police, Senzo Mchunu, together with the deputy national commissioner for crime detection, in a scheme to close down investigations into political assassinations in the province.

    President Cyril Ramaphosa rushed back from a meeting of the Brics countries in Brazil to attend to the matter. He announced that the police minister had been placed on leave with immediate effect. He also announced a judicial inquiry into the allegations.

    I have conducted research into South Africa’s security apparatus over the last decade. Based on this work, and new research forthcoming in the Journal of Southern African Studies done with Jelena Vidojevic, co-founder of the New South Institute, it is clear that elite contestation in the ANC is intensifying.

    In other words, the ability of internal party structures to manage gatekeeping is declining. Many of the people involved are indifferent or even hostile to South Africa’s democratic and constitutional order.

    As the ability of some political elites to access state resources through the party declines, some are linked with organised criminal networks. Organised crime has been on the edges of South African politics. It now risks taking a more central role.

    In this environment, the police service will often be the thin (blue) line between multiparty contestation according to constitutional rules and the criminalisation of politics in South Africa.

    The shift

    Large organisational changes within the police vividly illustrate this shift away from its core function.

    The Visible Policing programme was meant to meant to deter crime through patrols, checkpoints and roadblocks. But, instead, there was a steady decline in resource allocation. Employee numbers dropped between 2015 and 2021.

    Detective services and crime intelligence also experienced such declines.

    Conversely, employee numbers in the Protection and Security Services programme, responsible for providing bodyguards to politicians, increased sharply between 2014 and 2016.

    Evidence heard by the commission of inquiry into state capture suggested that some officers and budgets in the service were even used to supply President Jacob Zuma and other politicians with what amounted to a private militia.

    This reorientation of resources coincided with a rise in crime across the country, a decline in arrests by 24.5%, and a drop in the police’s efficacy in solving crimes.

    Furthermore, a politicised police leadership effectively stopped policing various categories of crime. This was particularly true of offences like fraud, corruption, and certain types of theft, and particularly when politically connected persons were involved.

    The state capture commission heard extensive evidence about the failure of the police to pursue politically sensitive investigations. Investigations into senior officials were frequently frustrated or impeded, and cases at state-owned enterprises were abandoned.

    This shows how police resources were actively redirected as weapons of elite competition, pursuing political enemies and protecting allies within the ruling party.

    Mkhwanazi’s claims, if substantiated, suggest that this political policing remains entrenched.

    What now?

    Ramaphosa has announced the appointment of Firoz Cachalia as the acting minister of police. Cachalia, a well regarded legal academic, served as ANC minister for community safety. Between 2019 and 2022 he was part of the ANC’s national executive committee.

    His appointment raises serious questions.

    If the core problem with the police is that it has become embroiled in ANC internal politics, having an ANC insider head the ministry of police (even if only on an acting basis) threatens only to compound the problem.

    Moreover, South Africans have already witnessed a long and expensive judicial inquiry into state capture. And despite extensive evidence of police failure to pursue politically sensitive investigations, nothing concrete has come of it.

    How likely is it that this new initiative will be any different, especially if those investigating it and presiding over key institutions are themselves ANC insiders?

    To depoliticise the police service and redirect its attention and activities towards crime and emergencies, a crucial first step is to reconsider the appointment processes for the national police commissioner and other top managers.

    Under the current system the president has sole discretion. This bakes party-political considerations into the decision-making process.

    Without structural changes, genuine democratic policing will remain an elusive ideal.

    In 2024/25 the murder rate in South Africa stood at 42 per 100,000, among the highest in the world and close to levels not seen since the early 2000s.

    At the very least, the minister of police must not be an ANC insider. Democratic renewal in South Africa requires bringing the police firmly under parliamentary control.

    Ivor Chipkin teaches public policy at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) at the University of Pretoria. He is the director of the New South Institute.

    – ref. South Africa’s police serve the ANC insiders, not the people: here’s how it happened – https://theconversation.com/south-africas-police-serve-the-anc-insiders-not-the-people-heres-how-it-happened-261301

    MIL OSI Analysis –

    July 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Police seek public assistance for investigation into online prescriptions

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Police seek public assistance for investigation into online prescriptions

    Tuesday, 22 July 2025 – 3:00 pm.

    Investigators from Tasmania Police are appealing for public assistance as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged fraudulent online prescriptions.
    Detective Inspector Michelle Elmer said police are seeking to speak with anyone who has sought or obtained prescriptions through the website athleteswarehouse.com.au.
    “We believe members of the community may have interacted with this website in good faith,” she said.
    “Now is the time to come forward and assist police with critical information that may support the investigation.”
    “Those people who have used the website, or who may have knowledge of its operations, are urged to contact us.”
    Anyone with information should call Tasmania Police’s Western Criminal Investigation Branch on 131 444 and quote OR774910.
    Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au

    MIL OSI News –

    July 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Winter underquoting blitz targets Hume

    Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

    Property auctions in the City of Hume were targeted by Consumer Affairs Victoria’s underquoting taskforce over the weekend.

    Taskforce inspectors visited Craigieburn and surrounds to monitor auctions for compliance with auction and sales rules, after tracking 70 sales campaigns in the lead up to the weekend. This follows a spike in underquoting complaints in the area, which is popular with first home buyers.

    Inspectors also took the opportunity to educate agents and buyers about underquoting laws.

    The taskforce uses a range of methods to monitor the property market. This includes tracking sales campaigns, inspecting estate agencies and attending auctions. This latest auction sweep follows an inspection blitz in the Doncaster area earlier in the year.

    Since it launched in September 2022, the taskforce has:

    • received more than 4,200 complaints through its dedicated webform
    • monitored over 2,500 sales campaigns
    • attended 275 auctions
    • issued 185 fines totalling over $2 million, and
    • issued 244 official warnings to agents caught breaching their obligations.

    It is also taking legal action against several agents for alleged breaches of the law.

    More than one third of complaints are submitted by real estate agents, showing that agents doing the right thing are also frustrated with unfair and unlawful practices in their industry.

    The underquoting taskforce was made permanent in August 2024.

    If you suspect underquoting, report it to us.

    Find more information about underquoting.

    MIL OSI News –

    July 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Mong Kok fair to offer 2,300 jobs

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Labour Department (LD) announced today that it will hold the Building a Multicultural Workplace Job Fair at MacPherson Stadium in Mong Kok on Thursday and Friday, offering more than 2,300 vacancies.

    The fair is jointly organised by the LD and the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment & Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) Ethnic Minorities Committee, with the Equal Opportunities Commission as the co-organiser.

    It aims to enhance the employment opportunities of job seekers, including those from ethnic minorities, and promote the LD’s employment services.

    About 50 organisations will participate in the fair, with around half of them setting up booths on-site and conducting on-the-spot recruitment each day.

    The positions being offered include engineer, accountant, human resources officer, guest services officer, administrative assistant, clerk, aircraft maintenance mechanic trainee, railway technical trainee, technical manager, system analyst, equestrian assistant, barista, spa therapist, nail technician trainee and lifeguard.

    The Correctional Services Department, the Fire Services Department, Police and the Immigration Department plan to set up counters to introduce their career opportunities and entry requirements.

    In addition to providing on-site interpretation services in Hindi, Urdu and Nepali at the fair, the DAB Ethnic Minorities Committee will introduce its support services for people from ethnic minorities.

    Furthermore, career talks on various professions will be held during the event on Thursday.

    Around 93% of the vacancies at the fair are full-time jobs, with most of them offering monthly salaries ranging from $12,000 to $22,000.

    Among the vacancies, about 90% require a Secondary 7 education level or below and around 66% are open to job seekers without relevant work experience.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    July 22, 2025

  • Amarnath Yatra sees huge rush of pilgrims, 3.21 lakh had ‘darshan’ in 19 days

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The ongoing Amarnath Yatra has witnessed an overwhelming turnout, with more than 3.21 lakh devotees having undertaken the pilgrimage in the last 19 days since it commenced on July 3. On Tuesday, another batch of 3,536 pilgrims departed from Jammu for the holy cave in Kashmir.

    According to officials, “A fresh batch of 3,536 Yatris left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu today in two escorted convoys headed for the Valley. The first convoy of 48 vehicles, carrying 1,250 pilgrims, departed at 3:33 a.m. for the Baltal base camp, while the second convoy of 84 vehicles, with 2,286 pilgrims, left at 4:06 a.m. for the Pahalgam base camp.”

    “There is a huge rush of Yatris, with thousands arriving daily from across the country at the twin base camps to undertake the Yatra,” added the officials.

    Extensive multi-tier security arrangements have been put in place to ensure the safety of pilgrims. An additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have been deployed to strengthen the existing presence of the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police. The Army has stationed over 8,000 special commandos along the route to secure the pilgrimage.

    The Amarnath Yatra 2025 will continue for 38 days, concluding on August 9, which coincides with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.

    (With inputs from IANS)

    July 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hongkong Post reports cyberattack

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Hongkong Post has reported an information security incident involving robotic access to information in the address books of its EC-Ship account holders.

    Condemning the attack, its stressed that it will work closely with Police on its investigation into the matter.

    Upon identifying the incident, Hongkong Post took immediate measures to block the unauthorised access. It also followed established guidelines and reported the case to Police, the Digital Policy Office, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data and the Security Bureau on the same day. The EC-Ship service has resumed as normal.

    Hongkong Post said that based on a preliminary assessment, the incident could involve information in the address books of EC-Ship account holders, including senders’ and recipients’ names, addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers and email addresses. Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the number of account holders affected and whether any personal data leakage is involved. When further updates are available, Hongkong Post will inform affected account holders.

    The service added that it is seeking advice from the Digital Policy Office to assist with its investigations, and will further strengthen system security measures.

    Hongkong Post also reiterated that it does not send embedded hyperlinks via emails, SMS messages or social media pages for the collection of personal information or requesting for payment. Citizens are advised to refrain from clicking on any embedded links or providing any personal or financial data, and from making payments via suspicious emails or SMS messages alleged to be sent by Hongkong Post.

    For enquiries, call 2921 2222.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    July 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Search for remains near Port Lincoln

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Detectives from Major Crime Investigation Branch and local Eyre Western police, with the assistance of local support services will conduct further searches at several locations over the coming days to locate the missing remains of murder victim Julian Story.

    Police will allege Julian was murdered by his partner, 34-year-old Port Lincoln woman Tamika Chesser on Tuesday 17 June 2025.

    Major Crime Investigation Branch, Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said information received by the investigation team coupled with the use of specialist equipment has identified several additional search sites in and around Port Lincoln.

    “In the days following the murder, Major Crime Detectives, local police, Water Operations Unit and the SA State Emergency Service conducted extensive searches around Port Lincoln without success,” Detective Superintendent Fielke said.

    “New search areas have been identified and by undertaking these renewed searches, we hope to find Julian’s missing remains, which will give comfort to his family and allow them to peacefully lay him to rest.

    “Police have reviewed a significant amount of CCTV footage since the incident which has provided a number of investigational leads. We also appreciate the ongoing assistance the community of Port Lincoln has provided throughout the investigation.”

    Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au – you can remain anonymous.

    CO2500025517.

    MIL OSI News –

    July 22, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Speech at the signing of the Harmony Accord

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Tēnā koutou katoa. Shalom. As-salamu alaykum.

    I would like to acknowledge:

    Your Excellency, The Right Honourable Dame Cindy Kiro
    His Excellency Dr Richard Andrew
    Faith and community leaders – Ibrar Sheikh, President of the Islamic Associations of New Zealand, and Phillip Green from the New Zealand Jewish Community Security Group Charitable Trust
    Police Commissioner, Richard Chambers
    Dr Melissa Derby, Race Relations Commissioner
    Parliamentary colleagues
    And other distinguished guests

    It is a real honour to be here today as the Minister for Ethnic Communities for the signing of the Harmony and Peace Accord between Jewish and Muslim organisations.  

    This is a significant and brave stand taken by leaders of deep conviction, against division, hatred, and fear.

    To the leaders here today, you have my deepest respect. 

    Your commitment to dialogue, to mutual respect, and to standing together in difficult times is something we can all learn from. Thank you for your leadership and for the example you have set.

    At a time when global conflicts have placed immense strain on many communities worldwide, and where we are seeing growing Islamophobia and Antisemitism, you have chosen the right pathway for us as country – a path guided by responsibility, not reaction. In doing so, you have shown the very best of leadership.

    As Minister, I have had the opportunity to work closely with Jewish and Muslim communities. I have seen firsthand efforts to confront hate that our communities are facing in day-to-day life here in New Zealand. 

    We acknowledge the pain and pressure felt by our communities, and we understand the deep emotions tied to what is happening in other parts of the world. 

    This is where our shared values as a country must be a shield to protect our communities, our children and those who are frightened by global conflict to ensure that those conflicts are not imported into New Zealand and do not become divisions of our own.

    We are a country shaped by diversity. Whether your ancestors arrived centuries ago or just last year, New Zealand is home to people of every ethnicity, every background, and every faith. That is our strength. And we are guided by Kiwi values – manaakitanga, fairness, and giving everyone a fair go. We believe in respect, in dialogue, and in treating each other with dignity, regardless of difference.

    But these values aren’t passive. They are upheld by action. Every New Zealander, whether Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, or of no faith, has a responsibility to help keep our country peaceful and united. That means standing up against hate crime, against racism, and against violence – wherever it tries to take root.

    We are fortunate to live in a democracy – one that protects freedom of speech and the right to protest. These are pillars of our society. But with those freedoms comes responsibility: to protest peacefully, to speak respectfully, and to never let those freedoms be twisted into a licence for hatred or intimidation.

    Our diversity should never divide us. Whether you are a Jewish Kiwi, a Muslim Kiwi, or a Christian Kiwi, we are, first and foremost, Kiwis. And as Kiwis, we stand together. We will not import hate. We will not allow conflict from abroad to create fear or division at home. We will protect each other through respect, through tolerance, and through peace.

    This Accord is a testament to what is possible when brave people choose unity over fear.  

    Let it be more than a document – let it be a beginning. A beginning of deeper conversations, stronger relationships, and a more resilient, inclusive New Zealand.

    Let this moment remind us all that peace is not something we inherit, it is something we build, together.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    July 22, 2025
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