2017 report from the Australian National Audit Office found that 534 provisions in commonwealth legislation conferred powers on Australian Border Force officers, these powers ranged from questioning to arrest, detain and search powers. The report found a series of issues sounding the ABF's training in the use of their powers, the report made recommendations to improve training and oversight, all of which were agreed to or agreed to in part by the Australian Border Force. Training and equipment Australian Border Force recruits are trained over the course of 12 months in both classroom and operational environments. Officers receive training in basic law enforcement duties and customs clearance and examination procedures and undergo physical assessments. ABF Officers are required to obtain a security clearance before beginning their training and maintain it for the duration of their employment. Prior to the standing up of the Australian Border Force, the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service had Officers in certain operational instances where they were armed with Personal Defensive Equipment (PDE). These Officers were generally those that worked in Enforcement Operations, Investigations, and the Marine Unit. Since 1 July 2015, with the creation of the Australian Border Force came a change in direction and environment. The ABF has geared itself more to a law enforcement aspect to help adapt itself with the increasing threat of terrorism, on both a global and local standpoint, people smuggling, and highly organised criminal syndicates and organisations. As a result, the ABF allows its officers to carry firearms and PDE at all major Australian international airports. Australian Border Force officers are supplied with the Glock 17 9mm semi-automatic pistol. ASP 21 inch telescopic baton, SAF-LOK MK5 hinged handcuffs, Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Spray. The Marine Unit officers are equipped with the Glock 17 and Remington 870 shotgun. The Marine Unit vessels are equipped similar to RAN vessels with the M2 Browning 12.7mm machine gun that is on loan from the Australian Defence Force. The Australian Border Force also has an aviation Coast Guard component operating a fleet of ten privately contracted Dash 8 aircraft which operate alongside the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in the Maritime Border Command. Controversy Misconduct In 2015, an Australian Border Force officer confiscated a passenger's mobile phone and laptop, demanded their passwords and sent text messages without the passenger's knowledge or consent. The officer was disciplined and the passenger sued the Australian Border Force.