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overview
The Police Technology Forum is the ultimate platform for exploring cutting-edge innovations that are transforming law enforcement and public safety. Taking place in Canberra on 24-25 March, this event brings together senior police leaders, technology experts, and industry innovators to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities in modern policing.
From advancements in AI and data analytics to the latest tools for crime prevention and operational efficiency, the Forum delivers actionable insights and real-world solutions to empower police forces across Australia.
Why Attend?
- Discover the Latest Innovations: Explore emerging technologies reshaping the future of policing.
- Learn from Industry Leaders: Gain insights from top experts and senior police officials driving change.
- Collaborate and Network: Connect with peers, innovators, and decision-makers to share ideas and strategies.
- Stay Ahead of the Curve: Understand emerging trends and their impact on law enforcement operations.
Join us at the Police Technology Forum 2026 to be part of the conversation shaping the future of policing in Australia.
2026 Speakers
David Gillies
Prevent & Protect Fraud Officer, Essex Police UK 
Vaiju Joshi
Director, Mobility Portfolio, South Australia Police
Laura Wheeler
A/Senior Team Leader Strategic Insights Centre, Australian Federal Police
Detective Inspector Matt Leahy
Mobility Portfolio, South Australia Police
Paul Daly
Superintendent Police Air Wing, WA Police Force
Anne-Louise Brown
Special Advisor, Akin Agency
Mike Cowley
Freeman, Digital Learning & Engagement, Police Digital Service UK
Matthew McCarthy
Chief Inspector, Spatial & Analytical Capability, NSW Police Force
Kathrine Peereboom
Founder & CEO, iSafe Connect
Matt Whalley
Innovation Manager, Police Digital Service UK
Hayden Archibald
Manager Future Aviation Defence Business, Toll Aviation/ Toll Uncrewed Systems
Michael Callan
Chief Executive Officer, Australian Fraud and Anti-Corruption Academy
Dr Leo S.F. Lin
Senior Lecturer, Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security , Charles Sturt University
Greg Giles
Former Senior Sergeant, & Senior Advisor, Queensland Police Service, iSafe Connect
Agenda
8:50 am
OPENING REMARKS | Opening remarks from the Chair
AI, PREDICTIVE TECHNOLOGIES & IMMERSIVE ENVIRONMENTS IN MODERN POLICING
9:00 am
Artificial Intelligence and Mobile Automatic Number Plate Recognition (MANPR) Technology
Matthew McCarthy, Chief Inspector, Spatial & Analytical Capability, NSW Police Force
Matthew McCarthy, Chief Inspector, Spatial & Analytical Capability, NSW Police Force
- How the NSWPF trained and evaluated AI vision models to identify the make, shape and
colour of vehicles from MANPR images with a high degree of accuracy to lead and support
investigations.
9:30 am
Augmented Reality – Immersive Learning
Mike Cowley, Freeman, Digital Learning & Engagement, Police Digital Service UK
Mike Cowley, Freeman, Digital Learning & Engagement, Police Digital Service UK
• Enhancing situational awareness and officer safety
• Integrating AR into daily operational workflow
• Collaborative efforts across jurisdictions and sectors
10:00 am
PANEL DISCUSSION | Policing in the Metaverse: Virtual Worlds, Real Crimes
• Investigating offences in immersive digital environments
• Jurisdictional and legal challenges in virtual spaces
• Tools for monitoring and evidence collection in the metaverse
• Preparing officers for virtual crime scene investigations
10:30 am
Morning Tea & Networking Break
11:00 am
Signals, Shadows and Strategy: Navigating the Next Era of Digital Investigations
Laura Wheeler, A/Senior Team Leader Strategic Insights Centre, Australian Federal Police
Laura Wheeler, A/Senior Team Leader Strategic Insights Centre, Australian Federal Police
• Anticipating future digital investigation landscapes and disruptive technologies
• Identifying and mitigating emerging investigative, legal and ethical risks
• Building capability, resilience, and innovation to stay ahead of threat actors
• Pathways to a preferred future: strategy, policy and officer readiness
11:30 am
Digital Forensics in the Age of AI
Michael Callan, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Fraud and Anti-Corruption Academy
Michael Callan, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Fraud and Anti-Corruption Academy
• Automating evidence analysis and improving accuracy
• Challenges in training and certification
• Managing digital evidence in complex investigations
• Ensuring integrity and admissibility of AI-generated insights
12:00 pm
Using Technology to Combat Government Payment Fraud
Anne-Louise Brown, Special Advisor, Akin Agency
Anne-Louise Brown, Special Advisor, Akin Agency
• Leveraging analytics and AI to detect fraudulent claims
• Cross‑agency data sharing to identify repeat offenders
• Automation for early‑warning systems and anomaly detection
12:30 pm
Lunch & Networking Break
SMART INFRASTRUCTURE, DRONES & AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS
1:30 pm
Mobility & Innovation within SA Police
Detective Inspector Matt Leahy, Mobility Portfolio, South Australia Police
Detective Inspector Matt Leahy, Mobility Portfolio, South Australia Police
• Modernising frontline operations through mobility
• Digital transformation and workforce enablement
• Strategic delivery and project management insights
• Lessons learned from SA’s innovation roadmap
2:00 pm
The Role of Autonomous Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) for Law Enforcement
Hayden Archibald, Manager Future Aviation Defence Business, Toll Aviation/ Toll Uncrewed Systems
Hayden Archibald, Manager Future Aviation Defence Business, Toll Aviation/ Toll Uncrewed Systems
• How could law enforcement agencies integrate autonomous UAS into operations.
• Technology trends that enhance autonomous system teaming.
• Case studies on real-world applications in crisis response, surveillance, and crime
prevention.
2:30 pm
Unlocking Law Enforcement Capability Through New Drone Legislation
Paul Daly, Superintendent Police Air Wing, WA Police Force
Paul Daly, Superintendent Police Air Wing, WA Police Force
• Overview of new legislative instruments enabling expanded operational use of drones
• Immediate benefits these changes deliver for law-enforcement agencies
• Integration of advanced technologies into drones to enhance operational outcomes
• Real-world scenarios supported by video demonstrations to showcase impact
3:00 pm
Afternoon Tea & Networking Break
DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT & EVIDENCE MANAGEMENT
3:30 pm
Tech-Enabled Community Policing: Building Trust Through Innovation
• Leveraging mobile apps and digital platforms for community engagement
• Using data to identify and respond to local safety concerns
• Case studies in tech-supported neighbourhood policing
• Enhancing transparency and responsiveness through digital tools
4:00 pm
Blockchain for Evidence Integrity and Asset Tracking
• Securing digital evidence with immutable records
• Applications in firearms, vehicles, and sensitive equipment
• Legal implications and interoperability challenges
• Improving audit trails and accountability
4:30 pm
Digital Evidence Lifecycle: From Capture to Court
• Managing digital evidence across multiple platforms and formats
• Ensuring chain of custody in cloud-based environments
• Legal admissibility and challenges in presenting tech-derived evidence
• Integrating evidence management systems with judicial workflows
5:00 pm
CLOSING REMARKS | Closing remarks from the Chair
5:05 pm
Networking Drinks
8:50 am
OPENING REMARKS | Opening remarks from the Chair
RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION & INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY IN MODERN POLICING
9:00 am
Responsible Innovation & AI in UK Policing
Matt Whalley, Innovation Manager, Police Digital Service UK
Matt Whalley, Innovation Manager, Police Digital Service UK
• Why responsible innovation matters in the AI arms race
• The new(ish) frontier – where principles clash with practice
• A whole system approach to Fairness by Design
9:30 am
Essex’s Collaborative and Innovative Approach to Fraud Prevention
David Gillies, Prevent & Protect Fraud Officer, Essex Police UK
David Gillies, Prevent & Protect Fraud Officer, Essex Police UK
• Highlighting Essex’s Multi‑Agency Approach to Fraud (MAAF) and how collaborative working raises awareness, safeguards vulnerable victims, and reduces the impact of fraud on communities.
• Demonstrating the initiative’s integration of partners across policing, local authorities, health services, voluntary organisations, and the private sector.
• Showcasing innovative elements such as the #FraudFriday campaign and emerging AI‑driven prevention strategies, positioning MAAF as a strong international case study.
10:00 am
FIRESIDE CHAT | Co-designing Digital Transformation in Policing
Vaiju Joshi, Director, Mobility Portfolio, South Australia Police
Vaiju Joshi, Director, Mobility Portfolio, South Australia Police
• Co-designing strategy and tools with end-users to improve adoption and effectiveness
• Designing user-friendly systems for frontline officers – ideation to delivery to beyond
• The importance of cohesive comms, delivery and tech to deliver intuitive systems
• Enduring innovation in law enforcement tech
10:30 am
Morning Tea & Networking Break
11:00 am
Digital Strategy – Intelligent Technology
• Expanding access to generative AI tools to enhance operational decision‑making and
frontline support
• Trialling AI‑driven policy review products to streamline governance and improve policy
accuracy
• Exploring future opportunities for intelligent automation across policing functions
INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION & EMERGENCY RESPONSE
11:30 am
Intelligence Sharing Across Jurisdictions
• Building secure, interoperable platforms for cross-border collaboration
• Real-time intelligence exchange between federal, state, and local agencies
• Overcoming legal and technical barriers to data sharing
• Case studies in joint operations powered by shared tech infrastructure
12:00 pm
iSafe Connect: Enhancing Safety Through Smart Technology
Kathrine Peereboom, Founder & CEO, iSafe Connect
Kathrine Peereboom, Founder & CEO, iSafe Connect
• Voluntary platform helping people with disabilities share vital info with emergency services.
• Uses Bluetooth beacons and wearables to transmit medical and behavioural data.
• User-controlled privacy settings ensure consent and autonomy.
• Includes SOS alerts, geofencing, and live updates for real-time safety.
12:30 pm
Lunch & Networking Break
1:30 pm
PANEL DISCUSSION | iSafe Connect in Action: Queensland Police Insights
Greg Giles, Former Senior Sergeant, & Senior Advisor, Queensland Police Service, iSafe Connect
Kathrine Peereboom, Founder & CEO, iSafe Connect
Greg Giles, Former Senior Sergeant, & Senior Advisor, Queensland Police Service, iSafe Connect
Kathrine Peereboom, Founder & CEO, iSafe Connect
• Queensland Police share insights from live trials of iSafe Connect.
• How wearable tech improves response to vulnerable individuals.
• Managing privacy, consent, and real-time data in the field.
• Community feedback and future rollout plans.
• Opportunities for broader emergency services adoption.
COMBATTING DIGITAL DECEPTION & EMERGING THREATS
2:00 pm
Combatting Digital Deception: Policing in the Age of Deepfakes
Dr Leo S.F. Lin, Senior Lecturer, Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security , Charles Sturt University
Dr Leo S.F. Lin, Senior Lecturer, Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security , Charles Sturt University
• Examining the evolution of deepfakes in organised crime and their impact on public safety
and trust.
• Case studies and challenges faced by law enforcement agencies from various perspectives.
• Opportunities, tools, and collaboration in education, training, and crime prevention to
effectively counter AI-related crimes and deepfake threats.
2:30 pm
Cybercrime as a Service: Disrupting the Underground Tech Economy
• Understanding the business models behind digital crime
• Emerging threats like ransomware kits and phishing-as-a-service
• Strategies for dismantling cybercrime networks
AI-DRIVEN INTELLIGENCE & SURVEILLANCE
3:00 pm
Next-Gen Body Cameras: AI-Enhanced Evidence Capture
• Real-time transcription and contextual tagging
• Facial recognition and automated alerts
• Privacy, data storage, and legal considerations
• Enhancing evidentiary value through smart features
3:30 pm
CLOSING REMARKS | Closing remarks from the Chair
3:35 pm
END OF CONFERENCE
Pricing
Sponsorship & exhibition opportunities
The 13th Annual Police Technology conference, exhibition, and networking functions offer unparalleled opportunities to reach key industry stakeholders, senior decision-makers, and customers within the industry.
Don’t miss the opportunity to share your expertise and showcase your products, services, and solutions at this established industry gathering. Forge new business relationships, share your experiences and position yourself as a leader in the police technology field.
Contact Andrew Sinkovich for a copy of the sponsorship & exhibition prospectus today!
Andrew Sinkovich
+61 2 9080 4308
[email protected]
Event Code of Conduct
We want everyone who comes to our events to have a great experience. This code explains our expectations and rules, which includes general good practice behaviour, and how to report anything witnessed or experienced that goes against them. Read our Event Code of Conduct here.
Sustainability
Our Commitment to Sustainability
In Australia, we are committed to running our events in an environmentally and socially responsible way. Across Informa Connect we are focusing on the short and long-term sustainability impacts we have on customers and colleagues alongside the communities we work in.
We recognise that it’s not just about the way we produce our events and products but recognising that we have a role to play in providing a space to work in partnership together with our markets to inspire the sustainable development of the industries we serve.
To read more on our latest sustainability reports and Faster Forward initiatives – click here.
ConnectMe
ConnectMe • Networking enhanced
All of our events utilise a bespoke dynamic smartphone app, ConnectMe – which guarantees attendees a premium event experience. Logins are sent prior to the conference commencement allowing you to check who’s attending, schedule in meetings and catch ups, participate in live Q+A and interactive polls, and much more. ConnectMe ensures you never miss a beat prior, during and post event.
when & where
24 - 25 Mar 2026
Hyatt Hotel, Canberra
120 Commonwealth Ave,
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Book accommodation with HotelMaps
To access the best available rate, book here.
contact
Still have a question?
General Information & Registration
Customer Service
+61 2 9080 4307
[email protected]
Speaking Enquiries
Vanessa Arnaoutis
Conference Manager
+61 429 055 521
[email protected]
Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities
Andrew Sinkovich
+61 2 9080 4308
[email protected]
Marketing & Media Enquiries
Alys Pryde
[email protected]