Opposition pledges to review AFP officer numbers

The Federal Opposition has promised to examine Australian Federal Police numbers if it wins the next election.

The Police Federation of Australia (PFA) says the number of sworn officers has been cut by 16 per cent in 21 years.

The PFA says this has led to the AFP offloading some cases, including Internet paedophile investigations, to state police.

Opposition police spokesman Arch Bevis says a Labor Government would conduct an inquiry into police numbers.

"We are committed as soon as we win office to conducting a scoping study. That will be a priority that we undertake as soon as the election is over," he said.

The PFA says police forces around Australia need an extra 13,000 officers.

PFA chief executive officer Mark Burgess says he wants police numbers to be an election issue.

"We already have several jurisdictions in this country who are struggling to recruit and having to go offshore to find officers to join their police force," he said.

"That's an issue we think the Federal Government needs to take a lead role on."