Video Conferencing Meeting

A video conferencing meeting was held on Friday between members of the Australian Federal Police-International Development Group’s Pacific Development Program-Regional (PPD-R) and Fiji Police Force.

The quick meeting was an opportunity to discuss ongoing work towards the launch of the Pacific Centre for Law Enforcement (PCLEC) which was due to be held in August this year.

The PCLEC concept was formulated at the 2018 Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police meeting aimed at consolidating regional, trilateral and bilateral police development through a decentralized model.

The model will consist of networked regional centres of capability with proven ability to deliver police development programs in the region across key thematic law enforcement priority areas.

Fiji has been identified as a leader in its ability to provide regional recruit training and specialised capabilities training in Investigations and Intelligence.

Leading the PPD-R team was the Interim Head Lautoa Faletau who said with COVID-19 making it difficult for most member countries to meet for PCLEC's official launch, they were looking at holding a virtual launch so that work could get underway.

Ms Faletau said the PPD-R team was also excited by the prospect of capitalizing on Fiji’s Bula Bubble as it will allow Pacific member countries already identified by the Fijian Government to send their representatives to Fiji for training purposes under the PCLEC umbrella once the approval is given.

Representing the Fiji Police was the Deputy Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu, Director International Relations Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ulaiasi Ravula, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Amelia Rokotuivuna, Inspector (IP) Ulaiasi Tamanisau and Inspector Pauliasi Colamoto.

The Deputy Commissioner in relaying the Commissioner of Police’s eagerness to get the work of the PCLEC underway said Fiji stands ready to assist its regional law enforcement partners.

He added that COVID-19 has forced everyone to rethink Police operations and life in general, and it was up to them as the working committee to find workable ways around the pandemic so that the Policing landscape was not affected.

Discussions also revolved on the Pacific Police Training Advisory Group's ongoing work.

The Advisory group’s role is to enhance training programmes in the Pacific region.