Kate Ferry

1995 - 1997

Senior law enforcement leader Kate Ferry has served with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for more than 25 years, contributing to national and international policing operations across a wide range of complex and high-risk environments. She lived at John XXIII College from 1995 to 1997 while studying at the Australian National University, completing a Bachelor of Asian Studies (Indonesia) before commencing her policing career.

Kate is currently Commander International Engagement at the AFP, where she leads Australia’s global policing partnerships and oversees bilateral and multilateral cooperation with foreign law enforcement agencies and government partners. She also serves as Head of INTERPOL National Central Bureau, Canberra. Throughout her career she has held senior operational roles including Commander Investigations in Eastern Command, with oversight of transnational serious and organised crime, cybercrime, human trafficking, child protection operations, financial crime and intelligence functions. Her experience spans specialist areas including counter-terrorism, fraud and anti-corruption, and criminal asset confiscation, alongside international postings such as Senior Liaison Officer in Kuala Lumpur.

Kate has been deployed on major international operations, including with the United Nations Assistance Mission to East Timor in 1999, where she supported the popular consultation and was later evacuated following the election. She has also contributed to global investigations including Operation AREW in The Hague following the downing of Flight MH17, and represented the AFP at major international forums and events. Her service has been recognised through numerous honours, including the Commonwealth Unit Bravery Citation, United Nations Peacekeeping Medal, and the AFP Service Medal.

Quote

“Do the work that matters, stand strong when it's hard, and leave things better than you found them.”

All photographs © Bronte Morel 2026 and not to be reproduced.