Pacific police chiefs are converging on New Zealand to tackle a spiking array of regional security challenges, including drugs, human trafficking, the return of deportees, and border violations. A high-level meeting of Pacific police commissioners heard concerns and discussed practical ways to respond.
New Zealand Police Commissioner Richard Chambers stressed the importance of regional cooperation, saying the shared challenge of transnational organised crime requires forces to work together. He noted that the threats are evolving with enablers such as violence and rapidly advancing technology, including cyber activity and corruption, which demand frank, joint action to safeguard the Pacific.
A key development discussed at the gathering is INTERPOL’s plan to establish a formal presence in the region. Until now, INTERPOL’s regional support has been delivered through desk officers embedded in local forces, but organizers said a dedicated regional office would strengthen coordinated responses to cross-border crime.
The talks also reflected long-running regional security initiatives and a growing consensus that regional, Pacific-led solutions offer the strongest path to safer communities. A suite of programs under discussion includes the Pacific Police Initiative, INTERPOL’s Project Blue Pacific, and UN peacekeeping cooperation, all designed to build interoperability, rapid response capabilities, and shared standards across Pacific nations. Proposals also highlighted the creation of regional Centers of Excellence for police training and a Pacific Police Support Group to provide rapid aid during crises, with planning discussions pointing to a hub in Brisbane as a coordinating base. Australia’s substantial support for these efforts was noted, including funding spanning hundreds of millions of dollars over multiple years.
The dialogue underscored ongoing cooperation with partners such as the Australian Federal Police, New Zealand Police, and INTERPOL, and reinforced the value of regional training, joint exercises, and shared resources to bolster capacity for handling major events or crises. In addition, the gathering spotlighted the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police Women’s Advisory Network, emphasizing the push to elevate women into security leadership roles as part of a more inclusive and effective regional security architecture.
Looking ahead, leaders expressed cautious optimism that intensified cross-border collaboration, enhanced training, and stronger governance could lead to more effective policing, better border security, disaster readiness, and a more resilient security framework for the Blue Pacific Continent through 2050 and beyond.
Editor’s notes and sidebars for editors:
– Key initiatives to watch: Pacific Police Initiative, Project Blue Pacific, Pacific Police Support Group, regional Centers of Excellence for training, and Brisbane hub.
– Opportunities for future joint operations, shared intelligence capabilities, and unified standards across Pacific forces.
– Positive emphasis on women’s leadership in policing to broaden perspectives and strengthen regional cooperation.
– Possible next steps: formalizing INTERPOL’s regional presence, expanding cross-border training, and expanding interoperability among Pacific law enforcement agencies.
Overall takeaway: regional, Pacific-led cooperation, reinforced by international partners, is being positioned as the best path to counter transnational crime and related security threats while boosting resilience across Pacific communities.
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