Fiji Police Commissioner at Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police meeting in Waitangi, New Zealand
Fiji’s Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu took part in the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police (PICP) annual meeting held this year in Waitangi, New Zealand, as heads of police from 22 regional organizations gathered under the banner Think Regionally, Act Globally to address shared security challenges and strengthen regional cooperation.
Tudravu appeared on a panel with New Zealand’s Commissioner Richard Chambers, INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza, Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Lesa Gale, and Palau’s Director of Public Safety Curtis Elobt. The session, steered by Acting Assistant Commissioner Uraia Vakarau, explored how Pacific policing can stay united and effective against common threats.
Over the two-day gathering, discussions spanned a wide range of topics, including the Australian-supported Pacific Police Initiative (PPI), INTERPOL’s Project Blue Pacific, UN peacekeeping contributions, disaster readiness, and the ways climate change is reshaping policing challenges. Tudravu also used the opportunity to connect with Fijians working in law enforcement and regional security agencies, underscoring the value of cross-border cooperation and stronger interoperability among Pacific forces.
The conference opened with a session of the PICP Women’s Advisory Network, where women leaders discussed advancing female representation in policing. Fiji was represented by Superintendent Ruci Nasemira, Divisional Police Commander Central.
The PICP, established in 1970 in Suva, remains one of the Pacific’s oldest regional networks, dedicated to safer communities through strengthened policing partnerships. The gathering reinforces Fiji’s ongoing commitment to regional security and collaborative policing across Pacific nations.
Context and connection to broader regional efforts
This event continues a pattern of Fiji’s active engagement in regional security forums. In recent months, Tudravu has been involved in Pacific policing initiatives that emphasize the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI) and related programs designed to bolster regional capacity. Earlier meetings in Brisbane highlighted the PPI’s goals, including establishing regional Centers of Excellence for police training and a Pacific Police Support Group (PPSG) to enhance mutual aid during crises, with Australia providing essential funding and training resources to advance these aims. The emphasis on regional centers of excellence, cross-border training, and interoperability aligns with the Pacific Islands Forum’s Blue Pacific strategy and its 2050 Vision for the region.
These efforts reflect a shared focus on strengthening regional security, improving response capabilities to transnational crime, and fostering closer coordination among Pacific nations. The ongoing collaboration with partners such as Australia and INTERPOL positions Fiji to contribute to and benefit from a more cohesive policing architecture across the Pacific.
Outlook
The Waitangi gathering underscores Fiji’s continued leadership in regional security collaboration and its commitment to building safer communities through partnerships, training, and interoperability. As Pacific policing initiatives evolve, the region appears poised to translate dialogue into practical, on-the-ground improvements for security, disaster response, and peacekeeping capacity across the Pacific.
Commentary
The emphasis on regional cooperation and capacity-building signals a forward-looking approach to policing in the Pacific, where shared challenges require shared solutions. Strengthened interoperability and joint training can enhance not only security outcomes but also trust and collaboration among Pacific nations, contributing to a more stable and resilient region.
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