Crime, Chaos and Controversy

Every major operation begins with uncertainty.

For thirty-five years, Glen McEwen built a career making decisions when the answers weren't clear. Rising from a young Australian Federal Police recruit to one of its senior operational commanders, he confronted organised crime, terrorism and international crises at the highest levels of policing.

From the Bali bombings and international drug syndicates to people smuggling, corruption, cybercrime and the Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand, McEwen worked alongside police, intelligence agencies and governments across Australia and the region. Drawing on more than three decades of operational experience, he takes readers inside the investigations, leadership decisions and international operations that rarely become part of the public record.

Yet the greatest challenges were not always found in the operation itself. They emerged over time, as years of responsibility, leadership and difficult decisions accumulated beyond the headlines.

Through McEwen's journey from young recruit to senior operational commander, readers witness the evolution of the Australian Federal Police and gain an insider's understanding of the decisions, pressures and responsibilities that define a life in modern policing.

'Leadership is not always about standing apart. It is about knowing when to guide,

when to follow, and when to simply stand alongside others.'

About the Author

Glen McEwen is a retired Australian Federal Police Commander with more than 35 years of experience across local, national, and international policing. His career included criminal investigations, covert operations, diplomatic postings, and long service at the rank of Commander.

McEwen was a strong advocate for proactive disruption strategies, successfully influencing senior policing leaders and coordinating multi-agency efforts across Asia. Known as an innovative thinker, he consistently challenged conventional approaches to enhance operational effectiveness and adaptability.

Following the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka in 2019, McEwen deployed to Colombo to lead the establishment of AFP assistance to the Sri Lanka Police, supporting the subsequent investigations. In 2018, he served as AFP mission commander during the Tham Luang Cave rescue in Thailand and was later awarded the Knights Grand Cross (First Class) of the Order of the Direkgunabhorn (KCD) by the Kingdom of Thailand.

McEwen was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2003 for his response to the 2002 Bali bombings and received the AFP Commissioner’s Medal of Excellence in 2013. McEwen is recognised for his leadership in high-pressure environments and his contribution to modern policing strategy.