In June 2022, our CEO, David Sharpe, visited INTERPOL to discuss Sport Integrity Australia’s role in the global law enforcement environment. INTERPOL was particularly keen to find ways to better respond to the ever-changing global criminal activity and sought help from key stakeholders. David saw an opportunity to support Australia’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Center (IFCACC) by offering to share our knowledge on sports corruption and doping.
Enter Jason Whybrow, Director of Sports Betting and Competition Manipulation, Sport Integrity Australia.
As a result of David’s offer, Jason has spent the last three months in Lyon, France, working as the Secretary General of INTERPOL. During his tenure, he had the opportunity to meet a number of professionals from around the world who share the Sport Integrity Australia mandate and how we work.
“The story of our creation and the breadth and diversity of the world-leading work we do as an organization continue to engage our global peers.said Jason. “All want to visit!”
“I spent most of my time talking about global betting on sports and its place in the wider gambling landscape that anyone can relate to in terms of potential criminal effects.”
Jason’s visit allowed him to strengthen some important relationships on behalf of the agency by providing stronger communication in key areas of work.
“IFCACC will improve their relationship and training with WADA on key Intelligence and Investigations training, and the INTERPOL Match-fixing Task Force will further rely on us to improve the approach to major sporting events.” Jason explained.
“We will continue to forge partnerships by developing more formal links for information sharing and working to expose the global threat landscape to relevant governments and law enforcement at strategic conferences and information sharing meetings.”
While in Lyon, Jason was able to be involved in some of INTERPOL’s operational duties with agencies such as the World Anti-Doping Agency and the Asian Racing Federation, and spoke about the ever-evolving work of Sport Integrity Australia.
“Many virtual meetings were held with the regional staff, which continued until late at night.said Jason,Of course we are used to international deals in Australia”
The recently established IFCACC managed to save more than US$200 million for victims of financial crime in its first year of operation. That’s good news, but a minor indentation on the nearly $2 trillion lost due to fraud and scams.
About 950 people work at the INTERPOL General Secretariat, where Jason spends his days, more than 300 of whom are sent to Lyon on a temporary basis from their home countries, police, intelligence and anti-corruption agencies, all financed by their own agencies. .
“Communicating effectively in everyone’s second language was a huge learning experience, but a very rewarding time in my life.said Jason.
Jason has returned from Lyon this month and will be presenting and reporting on his role to the Sport Integrity Australia team and key stakeholders in the near future.
Thursday, 27 April 2023