The New South Wales (NSW) Police Force have unveiled a state-of-the-art digital forensics facility for Cybercrime Squad investigators. The purpose-built facility is the first of its kind in Australia and enables officers to securely conduct investigations into sophisticated technology-enabled crime.
The State Crime Command’s Cybercrime Squad was established as a standalone unit in 2017 and provides specialist support to police area commands and police districts across the state. Since its inception, the unit has grown to nearly 70 specialist investigators, who now operate from a discreet facility in Sydney.
David Elliott, the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, said NSW Police are constantly adapting to the evolving behavior of criminals who attempt to conceal their identity by using technology.
“The NSW Government and NSW Police Force are acutely aware of the ever-changing and significant threat of cybercrime to hard-working everyday Australians across the state and have invested heavily in the tools and technology that Police need to detect and disrupt such crime,” he said. “The community should rest assured that Cybercrime Squad investigators are up to the challenges posed by modern day criminals and will aggressively pursue these individuals so that they face the full force of the law.”
The new facility gives Cybercrime Squad detectives access to world-class tools and technology to combat criminal activities in the digital world.
“Traditional crime types are advancing significantly online, which poses a unique challenge for law enforcement throughout the world, not only here in Australia,” said NSW Police Force Commissioner Michael Fuller. “However, our Cybercrime Squad officers have been evolving and adapting their tactics within this space to covertly infiltrate criminal networks who commit illicit activities online."
The majority of serious and organized criminal activities are enabled, to some extent, by the use of technology.
“The charging of a man today for money laundering via Cryptocurrency is a perfect example of how proficient the NSW Police Force is at investigating complex cybercrime matters that operate freely across jurisdictions or legislative boundaries," said Cybercrime Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Matt Craft.
Republished courtesy of NSW Police.