Controversial ABF officers to use "force" against suspects

The newly-created Australian Border Force (ABF), which attracted widespread condemnation last week, will train most officers of its 5,000-strong department in the use of force.

Fairfax Media reported on Tuesday that after a 12-month transition period most ABF staff would be classified as "use of force" officers, who are able to defend themselves when detaining suspects.

Several thousand ABF officers have already been trained to use firearms.

On July 1, the ABF was created as the enforcement arm of the merged Customs and Immigration departments.

Last week, an announcement that the ABF would be conducting a covert operation in Melbourne's heartland at the weekend was met with snap protests at Flinders Street Station in the city center.

The ABF planned to speak with "any individual (they) cross paths with" in a joint operation with Victoria Police to crack down on visa fraud, despite no officer having the right to question members of the public without probable cause.

The crackdown, which was christened "Operation Fortitude," never went ahead following public and political backlash, with Prime Minister Tony Abbott describing it as a "mistake."

The ABF does not have general jurisdiction in the community without partnership of the local, state or federal police, but can participate in armed raids, unlike customs officials of the past.

However, those working in community exercises - like the one which eventually did not go ahead at the weekend - would not be armed, according to an official.

Opposition immigration spokesman Richard Marles, who labeled the bungled "Operation Fortitude" a "high farce" on Friday, has requested Australia's auditor-general to examine the training and powers of ABF officers. Endi