Regional policing leaders warned that fragmented approaches will not meet the Pacific’s rising security threats, as they gathered at Waitangi for the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police conference. Fiji’s Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu urged deeper cooperation and interoperability among law enforcement agencies, joining a panel with New Zealand Commissioner Richard Chambers, INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza, Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Lesa Gale, and Palau Public Safety Director Curtis Elobt.
Discussions centered on transnational crime, climate-driven disasters, and the Pacific’s role in global peacekeeping under the theme Think Regionally, Act Globally. The meeting also reviewed ongoing initiatives such as the Pacific Police Initiative, INTERPOL’s Project Blue Pacific and UN peacekeeping operations. Tudravu stressed that only a holistic regional approach can address the shared challenges facing Pacific states.
The two-day gathering also hosted the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police Women’s Advisory Network, bringing together female policing leaders to advance women’s roles in security leadership. Fiji was represented by Divisional Police Commander Central Superintendent Ruci Nasemira. Founded in Suva in 1970, the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police remains one of the region’s oldest regional organizations, focused on building safer and more secure communities.
Context and added value
– The Pacific Policing Initiative is a major regional program designed to bolster policing capabilities across the Pacific. It aims to establish regional Centers of Excellence for police training and a Pacific Police Support Group to provide rapid, coordinated assistance during crises. An associated hub for policing development and coordination has been proposed in Brisbane.
– Australia has pledged substantial support to these efforts, with funding reported in related discussions to run into hundreds of millions of dollars over several years. The initiative aligns with the Pacific Islands Forum’s blue economy and security strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent through 2050, and builds on recent regional security experiences.
– The program emphasizes training, cross-border collaboration, and interoperability among Pacific nations, including ongoing cooperation with partners such as the Australian Federal Police, New Zealand Police, and INTERPOL. Past events have highlighted the value of regional training centers, joint exercises, and shared resources to improve response capacity during major events or crises.
Outlook
The conference underscored a growing consensus that regional, Pacific-led solutions offer a stronger path to safer communities. With continued investment in training, cross-border collaboration, and coordinated governance, there is cautious optimism for more effective policing across the region and enhanced resilience to both traditional and emerging threats.
Summary
Regional leaders at Waitangi signaled a renewed push for cohesive, region-led security efforts to counter transnational crime and climate-related challenges. By strengthening interoperability, advancing the Pacific Policing Initiative, and expanding training and cross-border cooperation, the Pacific is building a more unified and capable security framework for the future.
Additional comments
– This momentum could translate into concrete joint operations, shared intelligence capabilities, and more unified standards across Pacific police forces, benefiting border security, disaster response, and peacekeeping efforts.
– Keeping women in leadership at the forefront of security discussions is a positive development that can broaden perspectives and expand regional collaboration.
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