Murder mysteries, gender stereotypes and the lure of overseas travel may not sound like the obvious kickstarts for a career in law enforcement. But for three women helping the AFP safeguard the world they played a pivotal part.
AFP Commander Erica Merrin, Detective Superintendent Marie Andersson and Detective Sergeant Salam Zreika may be geographically separated by more than 21,000km, but they're linked by their integral roles as AFP members serving abroad.
The AFP is celebrating the stories and careers of three women on International Women's Day (8 March 2025) who have overcome significant challenges to pave a bright future for themselves - and the next generation of women - working as police officers overseas.
At only 16, Commander Merrin applied for the AFP undergraduate program, inspired by the opportunity to travel and work overseas.
Fast forward from that teenage dream, and she lives it, as the AFP's Commander of Asia with regional responsibility for Posts in Bangkok, Beijing, Colombo, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Islamabad, New Delhi, Phnom Penh and Yangon.
Thirty-three per cent of females deployed overseas report to Commander Merrin and she is the second female Commander in Asia.
Commander Merrin said she had always benefited from the support and mentorship of other women in policing and stood by a piece of advice she continued handing down to other colleagues.
"Take time to understand your strengths and weakness and play to them. This is how you build resilience to be adaptable and step out of your comfort zone to explore opportunities," Cmdr Merrin said.
Detective Sergeant Zreika fulfilled her lifetime dream of becoming a police officer when she joined the AFP in June, 2010. Growing up in a dysfunctional family environment, she had first been inspired by the police who visited her home often as a child.
"It was during this time my admiration for police officers commenced, and my lifelong dream of becoming one was born. I was raised in a family and culture where women were expected to be cooks, cleaners, wives, and mothers, always sacrificing their own dreams to serve others," Det-Sgt Zreika said.
"I held on tightly to my dream of one day becoming a Detective, something which never seemed possible.
"However, through action and discourse, I challenged myself, and those around me, and achieved my lifelong dream of being a Detective in 2019, after many years of hard work and commitment working in the AFP."
Det-Sgt Zreika was deployed to Jakarta, Indonesia, five months ago, and works with Indonesian authorities on a day-to-day basis to support criminal investigations and provide training and development to investigators.
She said women were integral to an effective police force and offered an empathetic style essential for policing.
"Instilled in my heart is the desire to be a woman that helps and guides others - particularly women from minority backgrounds. I've always wanted to be someone who investigates crime, and the people who take advantage of those around them and think it's okay to break the law," she said.
Meanwhile, Detective Superintendent Andersson never thought her love for murder mysteries at a young age would have led her to assisting Türkiye police in dismantling a high-profile organised motorcycle crime gang in Türkiye, where she's been deployed since 2021.
However, this wasn't her first significant international achievement.
Det Supt Andersson was deployed in Southeast Asia following the Indonesian terrorist attacks in 2004, and her commitment to fostering international partnerships proved impactful in the global fight against terrorism and protection of Australians, both offshore and back home. For her incredible work, she was awarded the prestigious Australian Police Medal in January, 2025.
Det-Supt Andersson said fostering relationships was incredibly important between women mentors and young female officers coming up in the ranks, however, male role models were equally as valuable.
"It will always be important to have women mentors and role models who help clear the path for the next generation, however, keep in mind male mentors can be just as important and I would say it really comes down to personality as a mentor, not gender," Det-Supt Andersson said.
"I think we are now seeing a crossover with men and women adopting each other's traditional traits, which can only yield beneficial outcomes in policing."
Working overseas can be a once-in-a-life-time opportunity for AFP members, but it often comes with the sacrifice of being separated by family or the challenges of relocating them.
Det-Sgt Zreika stresses the significant sacrifice of deployment, with her two children remaining in Australia. However, with peer and supervisor support, she enjoys a regular reunion with her family.
"Sadly, this amazing opportunity has come with significant sacrifice, with my two children residing in Australia due to personal circumstances. The AFP, however, is cognisant of this personal situation and thankfully I have a very compassionate group of peers and leaders around me who are supportive of having a regular reunion with my children, which is crucial for all of our emotional wellbeing," Det-Sgt Zreika said.
"Prior to this deployment I had deep and meaningful conversations with other women who had also been deployed to have them share their experiences, and challenges. Additionally, I sought out advice on how to best navigate the family separation."
Det Supt Andersson relocated to Türkiye with her husband and two daughters and expressed how each AFP member in her overseas posting had been nothing but supportive and encouraging of the transition.
Commander Merrin, meanwhile, said she had worked overseas both as a single mother with children, and without kids.
"I had a daughter at university, so I started work at the AFP as a working mother. Since joining in 1994, I have always maintained full-time work as a sworn member and, for 12 years of my career, I was a single mother," Cmdr Merrin said.
"Later I remarried and now have a blended family of four adult children and two grandchildren."
These women may have different experiences but share a common goal of leading the way - in word and example - for the next generation of women in policing.
Commander Merrin said her last piece of advice was to recognise things would not always go according to plan but, regardless of the outcome, there was a positive takeaway in the learning experience.
Noting the AFP's diverse opportunities, Det Supt Andersson said you could spend your entire career in the agency and still feel like you've worked across multiple professions.
Det-Sgt Zreika offered encouragement to any aspiring officers to not let fear or self-doubt hold them back from applying to the AFP.
"Step out of your own shadow and dare to challenge yourself no matter how daunting it seems.
Surround yourself with people who support and encourage you and move away from those who don't," she said.
The AFP has more than 200 personnel in 34 countries as part of its international network. AFP members posted offshore work in partnership with foreign law enforcement agencies to detect, deter, prevent and disrupt crime and harm at its source.
