A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening law enforcement cooperation was formalized between the Fiji Police Force (FPF) and the Papua New Guinea Constabulary (PNGC) in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. This agreement was signed by Fiji Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu and PNGC Commissioner David Manning, reaffirming their commitment to enhancing regional policing collaboration in the Pacific.
The MOU provides a framework for consultation, information sharing, and coordinated operations to combat transnational crime. Additionally, the agreement promotes capacity building and professional development across both law enforcement agencies. The PNGC has been identified as a Centre of Excellence for Training under the Australian Federal Police, which supports the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI).
Key aspects of the MOU focus on the exchange of personnel for training opportunities, participation in professional development seminars, and collaborative training and investigative initiatives aimed at crime prevention, detection, and prosecution. Commissioner Tudravu emphasized Fiji’s readiness to assist in deploying trainers and advancing cooperation in specialized policing fields.
Commissioner Manning expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, underscoring the importance of timely implementation of the MOU to enhance police-to-police cooperation programs quickly. He noted that a safer Pacific enhances domestic stability and security.
The signing of the MOU coincided with the groundbreaking ceremony for the Pacific Policing Initiative Regional Centre of Excellence for training and investigation at the RPNGC Bomana Police Training Centre, held on November 1, 2025. This initiative forms a core part of the PPI, which is designed to strengthen policing capabilities and cooperation throughout the region.
The PPI focuses on three key pillars: Regional Centres of Excellence, the Pacific Policing Support Group, and the Pacific Policing Development and Coordination Hub. Upcoming Centres of Excellence include operational forensics in Fiji, analytical forensics in Samoa, and specialist investigations in Vanuatu.
With support from the Australian Government, which continues to provide funding for these initiatives, there is optimism for improved safety and security in the Pacific region. This partnership illustrates a collective effort to confront shared challenges and contribute to the stability of the area, fostering hopes for a more secure future.
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