Federal police commissioner Andrew Colvin has vowed to stamp out his organisation's "boys' club" after a review found widespread sexual harassment and bullying.
He has also flagged the potential of criminal investigations into serious allegations of assault if people come forward.
Former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick, who undertook six months of work and 1000 interviews, says there is an urgent need for action inside the Australian Federal Police.
Through surveys and focus groups her team found:
* 46 per cent of women and 20 per cent of men reported being sexually harassed in the workplace in the last five years - more than double the national average
* 62 per cent of men and 66 per cent of women reported they were bullied in the workplace in the past five years
* Members don't trust the reporting system, with many believing a complaint can have a negative impact on their career or leave them being ostracised.
Releasing the report publicly on Monday, Mr Colvin also highlighted the finding that two per cent of those surveyed said they had been subjected to actual or attempted sexual assault in the past five years.
"All of this ends today," he told reporters in Canberra, unreservedly apologising for past behaviour.
He urged members who told their stories to Ms Broderick anonymously to consider coming forward.
"The processes that we have put in place from today will be different," he said, vowing to take action.
A disappointed Mr Colvin admitted the report makes it clear there is a "boys' club" and conceded on reflection he's seen evidence of bullying first-hand.
He agreed to all 24 "challenging and uncomfortable" recommendations from the report.
Assistant commissioner Ray Johnson will head up a new division to lead the reform process.
Many women reported to Ms Broderick's team they had rewarding and worthwhile careers in the AFP, but a large proportion of others said they experience a range of challenges:
* Difficulties of having to "fit in" in a male-dominated culture
* Having to "prove themselves"
* In some cases, work in a sexualised environment.
Others spoke of the struggle to choose between a career and family and a stigma attached to maternity leave.
But Ms Broderick commended the force for trying to create a more flexible workplace, through trials of split shifts and other rostering initiatives.
She proposes a "flex by default" policy, under which senior staff would review refusal for flexible hours.
The report also found women are under-represented across the AFP.
As of April 2016, women made up 35 per cent of all personnel - including 22 per cent of police.
Despite the findings, Ms Broderick says they are not a reason for the community to in any way have reduced confidence in the AFP.
"Quite the contrary," she said.
"In all my interactions with the AFP leadership team I have observed a strong desire to step forward in a transformative manner, not just tinkering around the edges."
