Amanda Kates is in her 27th year of policing with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and has a diverse range of leadership and management experience in community, national, and international policing. Currently Amanda is the AFP’s Manager Pacific, International Operations. In this role she is responsible for managing AFP members deployed to countries including Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands, as well as Australian External Territories including Christmas Island, Cocos Keeling Islands, and Norfolk Island.  

Internationally, as a United Nations Civilian Police Advisor, Amanda performed duties as the Deputy Chief of Police Personnel in Khartoum, Sudan in 2006 and was Australian Contingent Commander for the tripartite arrangement in Tonga from 2012 to 2014. As the Senior Officer on Christmas Island, (2014 - 2015) Amanda coordinated the AFPs response to developing matters of unrest within the Immigration Detention Centres and managed Community Policing activities on Christmas Island and Cocos Keeling Island.

She is the recipient of the UN’s East Timor and Sudan medals, has received citations for conspicuous conduct and been awarded the Defence Services Medal.