Pacific leaders have officially endorsed the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI), a significant regional effort aimed at enhancing collective peace and security across the region.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka emphasized the importance of this initiative, describing it as a much-needed solution for the various issues facing the Pacific, underscoring the leaders’ role in establishing their own policing framework.
The initiative garnered support from countries including Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, and Fiji, and seeks to bolster the capacity of Pacific nations to address law enforcement and internal security needs, as well as to provide mutual assistance during crises.
As part of the PPI, there will be the establishment of up to four regional police training Centers of Excellence in the Pacific, aimed at enhancing policing skills through specialized training and operational support for local law enforcement personnel.
Additionally, the Pacific Police Support Group (PPSG)—a collaborative police capability featuring a ready pool of trained Pacific officers—will respond to the requirements of Pacific nations, especially in managing major events or providing extra support in emergencies. A PPI Policing Development and Coordination Hub will be set up in Brisbane, offering access to advanced Australian Federal Police facilities for training and preparation for any PPSG deployments.
Australia has pledged approximately $400 million over five years to support the PPI, which includes funding for the construction of new policing Centers of Excellence in the region.
The PPI aligns with the Pacific Islands Forum’s vision for peace and security, as outlined in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, and builds on recent experiences from the Solomons International Assistance Force.
Initial discussions about a unified regional policing capability took place during the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police meeting in 2023. Pacific police leaders are currently finalizing the PPI design process, ensuring that the initiative is conceived and developed by the Pacific for the Pacific.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remarked, “This policing initiative continues a long tradition of collaboration among Pacific police forces to enhance regional security and assist one another in times of need.” He added, “Pacific leaders are united in shaping our future, with a focus on enhancing capacity, cooperation, and interoperability among police forces, which ultimately benefits all Pacific nations and our communities’ safety.”
“This initiative, led by the Pacific with support from Australia, utilizes our collective strengths. We are indeed stronger together,” he concluded, highlighting the shared responsibility for Pacific security among the region’s nations.