Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw and newly appointed Fiji Police Force Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu have solidified their partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Suva, aimed at enhancing cross-border operations and law enforcement cooperation in the Pacific. This agreement emphasizes the ongoing and expanding collaboration between their respective agencies.
The MoU includes several key initiatives where the Australian Federal Police (AFP) will assist the Fiji Police Force (FPF) in various uplift projects focused on information sharing, coordination of operations related to transnational crime, and professional development. Notably, it will see the deployment of Strategic Advisers from the AFP to enhance the FPF’s capabilities in areas such as intelligence gathering and strategic operational planning.
A hallmark of this agreement is the establishment of a Regional Centre of Excellence for operational field forensics in Fiji, under the Pacific Policing Initiative. This center will enhance the FPF’s forensic capabilities through specialized training in essential areas like recruit training, investigations, and forensic techniques, fostering not only Fiji’s policing ability but also benefiting the larger Pacific region.
Commissioner Kershaw remarked that the MoU marked the beginning of a new era in support for policing between Fiji and Australia, citing over 20 years of AFP collaboration with Fijian forces. He expressed pride in the ongoing efforts to ensure safety and security in the Pacific.
In reflection, Commissioner Tudravu described the agreement as a “new dawn,” built on mutual respect and understanding in tackling shared security challenges. The partnership underscores the significance of working together, guided by the Pacific spirit of solesolevaki, in combating the growing threats of transnational crime.
This commitment to partnership represents a hopeful step towards enhanced security in the Pacific, as Fiji is poised to significantly upgrade its law enforcement capabilities, contributing to a safer environment for its citizens and the region.
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