AFP’s Commander Pacific courtesy Visit to Compol

The Fiji Police Force’s commitment towards regional efforts of responding to shared peace and security challenges were topics of discussions between the Acting Commissioner of Police and the Australian Federal Police’s Pacific Commander recently.

The AFP’s Commander Pacific Phillippa Connell paid a courtesy call on Fiji’s Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew earlier this week, where discussions revolved around the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI) and the FPF’s continued assistance to regional law enforcement.

Accompanying Commander Connell was the AFP's Senior Pacific Liaison Acting Superintendent Jodie Hurley and Detective Inspector Paul Everingham.

On Monday 14th October 2024, Commander Connell handed over Public Order Management (POM) equipment to the Police Mobile Force, an extension of the Solesolevaki Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two institutions.

The POM equipment also augurs well with the Fiji Police Force’s endeavour to be a center of excellence under Pillar 2 of the Australian Federal Police supported PPI of a multinational Pacific police response capability to respond to Pacific nations’ requests for assistance.

Also discussed was the FPF’s UN police deployment training capabilities, noting the number of regional trainings conducted in Fiji, whereby the Acting Commissioner reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to assisting Pacific island countries, noting Fiji’s central location, making it a cost friendly exercise, with a pool of certified trainers ready to assist.

Another point of discussion was the possibility of the Fiji Police Forensic Services playing a role under Pillar 1 of the PPI - Regional Policing Centres of Excellence to enhance Pacific Police capabilities through delivery of specialist policing training and operational support.

The Acting Commissioner thanked the AFP’s Pacific Commander for supporting the work of the Fiji Police Force, adding that Fiji stands ready to share the training opportunities with regional partners.