AFP boss apologises to Hakeem al-Araibi for his 'unfortunate detention'

The new boss of the Australian Federal Police has apologised to Hakeem al-Araibi for the time he spent detained in Thailand.

The new boss of the Australian Federal Police has apologised to Hakeem al-Araibi. (AAP)

Australia's new top cop has personally apologised to refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi for the months he spent behind bars in Thailand.

Al-Araibi, a permanent Australian resident, was locked up in Bangkok after Bahraini officials pursued him over vandalism charges.

Australian Federal Police commissioner Reece Kershaw, who has been in the job 19 days, acknowledged a trail of bureaucratic bungles led to his detention.

Melbourne-based refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi. Source: AAP

Mr Kershaw said he was now working with the Department of Home Affairs to address a "lack of connectivity" between border security systems and the Interpol database.

"I have delivered a letter to Mr al-Araibi to extend AFP's apology for his unfortunate detention in Thailand," he told a Senate committee in Canberra on Monday.

"And to reassure Mr al-Araibi that the AFP is continuing to review and improve processes in consultation with other relevant agencies to ensure we respond appropriate to these matters in the future.

"The AFP is working closely with the department to resolve the overarching policy and legal questions arising from this matter."