An ACT Policing response to an armed offender led to a young person being searched in error, but discrimination did not influence his mistaken arrest, the AFP Professional Standards Unit (PRS) has determined.
In November 2025, PRS self-initiated six independent investigations into police conduct arising from the mistaken arrest of a young person by six members of ACT Policing in Woden.
On 11 November, 2025, ACT Policing responded to emergency calls about an aggravated robbery at Westfield Woden and attempted car jackings.
Police were given a physical description of the alleged armed offender and received reports of a young person on a bus who matched the physical description of the armed offender.
Three officers boarded the bus and identified and arrested a young person who matched the descriptions they were provided.
When removed from the bus, the young person was searched. The search happened after it was clear that he was not the offender.
While it is not appropriate to comment on the detailed outcomes of individual investigations, the AFP can confirm that there was no evidence to suggest race or other discriminatory factors influenced interactions between police and the young person, or that excessive force was used during the arrest.
PRS found the search was a serious breach of the AFP Code of Conduct relating to searching of the young person.
The AFP will use the lessons identified through the finalised investigations to inform ongoing policy and practice improvements relating to how individuals are searched by officers.
Five of the six PRS investigations have now been completed, with one investigation remaining ongoing and expected to be finalised shortly.
Consistent with the AFP Integrity Framework, any established findings will be considered for appropriate action, which may include a range of sanctions or other remedial measures.
The AFP PRS is an independent statutory unit responsible for investigating complaints and allegations of misconduct involving AFP appointees.
Established under Part V of the Australian Federal Police Act 1979 (Cth), PRS operates independently from operational policing functions to ensure allegations are assessed and investigated fairly, objectively and in accordance with the AFP Integrity Framework.
The AFP Integrity Framework encompasses a range of measures designed to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and accountability across the organisation. This includes the AFP Commissioner's expectations regarding the conduct of all AFP appointees.
Maintaining professional standards is critical to the AFP's effectiveness and to sustaining the confidence of the Australian Government and the community.
