Feb.01, 2010, 12:00AM

THE Australian Federal Police will undergo a major restructure to meet the growing threat from organised crime, creating a division to take on established criminal syndicates such as bikie gangs and drug rings.

In what amounts to a significant departure from the Howard era's focus on counter-terrorism, the AFP will merge several investigative portfolios, including its drug and money-laundering divisions, into two new portfolios, which Commissioner Tony Negus says will allow the agency to take a holistic approach to the fight against organised crime.

In a note to AFP staff, Mr Negus said the AFP's old model - which separated drug, fraud and people-smuggling investigations - had served it well in responding to government priorities. "However, it is clear that organised crime increasingly cuts across what we have traditionally called border operations and economic and special operations," he said.

The restructure, which takes effect from today, comes after an audit of AFP capabilities headed by Roger Beale.

Among Mr Beale's recommendations were that the AFP be given more budgetary freedom, so it could swiftly allocate resources to meet sudden needs.

In his note, Mr Negus refers to a "strong view that drugs, fraud, money-laundering and other elements of organised crime need to be looked at holistically rather than in separate AFP streams of activity".

The restructure aligns the force with the priorities of the Rudd government, which made clear in its national security statement that it sees organised crime as a national security threat.

And it reflects the priorities of the AFP's new commissioner, Mr Negus, who has made frontline policing an overriding concern.

While the AFP insists there has been no reduction in its focus on counter-terrorism, the restructure is consistent with a renewed push on core policing.

There has been a steady increase in the number of serious crimes referred by the AFP to commonwealth prosecutors in recent years, in another sign the agency is returning to traditional policing issues.

The increase followed a drop in referrals from the AFP as the agency sought to meet the counter-terrorism priorities demanded by the Howard government following the September 11, 2001, attacks on the US and the 2002 Bali bombings.

The agency's growing overseas commitments, such as the international deployment group, which polices regional troublespots such as East Timor and Solomon Islands, have also taken

up much AFP resources and manpower.

In addition to the new serious and organised crime portfolio, the AFP will create a second portfolio, called crime operations, which will run quicker operations, for example the Godwin Grech investigation or one-off drug importations.

However, if evidence emerges that those involved are connected to a larger syndicate, the assignment could be transferred to serious and organised crime.

The Australian understands the AFP leaders hope the restructure will allow the agency to develop and maintain its knowledge of crime groups.

Investigators working in the new serious and organised crime portfolio are expected to focus on organised established criminal syndicates, such as outlaw motorcycle gangs.

Assistant Commissioner Kevin Zuccato will head up the new portfolio.