Dandelion Program neurodiversity consultant Martina Johnson (centre) with the six trainee graduates from the AFP’s first program. Photo: ACT Policing, Facebook.
The inaugural class of the federal police force’s first-of-its kind Dandelion Program has graduated after already helping to keep their community safe by contributing to large investigations.
The Australian Police Force’s (AFP) program provides a specialised pathway into the force for neurodivergent individuals.
Six participants trained in the program for two years before graduating earlier this month and taking up full-time permanent AFP roles.
The graduates will work in the covert and technical operations area, helping to build the technical capabilities required to support the AFP’s frontline now and into the future.
AFP Commander Rob Nelson, who oversaw the operational aspects of the Dandelion Program, said problem-solving was critical in covert and technical operations.
“It has been incredible to see how the neurodiverse skill set of the Dandelion members has benefitted the work we do,” he said.
“Their ability to think outside of the box and innovate has inspired other members to consider different perspectives, which bring different solutions.”
Graduate Lachlan Cameron of Canberra said the trainees in his cohort had already contributed to several large investigations during the program by designing a few new capabilities.
“But that’s probably as much as I can say about it!” he said.
Lachlan Cameron is one of the first trainees to graduate the AFP’s award-winning Dandelion Program. Photo: AFP.
Mr Cameron said it was “kind of a weird sensation” to have graduated after two years of hard work in the program.
“Over the course of the project, or the actual program, we slowly started to feel more and more like AFP,” he said.
“It is the excitement and happiness of actually finally graduating, but it’s also like same old, same old now!
“Overall, I feel good; prideful of it. Just happy.”
He said all of his tight-knit group were relieved and happy to have graduated and he was excited to work full-time in the force.
An AFP spokesperson said the Dandelion Program, delivered in partnership with DXC Technology and Untapped Talent, was the only one of its kind in Australian policing.
Throughout their traineeship, the cohort worked across various areas within covert and technical operations, including data analytics, software development and hardware engineering.
Commander Nelson said the program had already been recognised beyond the AFP, having been awarded an Inclusive Communities trophy at the 2024 National Disabilities Awards.
“I am extremely proud of this program and the internal changes this has influenced,” he said.
“We have seen the organisation expand our internal support network and capabilities, with the goal of the AFP having the skills and experience to independently support and ultimately enable our neurodiverse employees to flourish within a policing agency.”
