The Fiji Police Force Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) contingent was welcomed back to Fiji by the Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew and senior officers at the Nadi Police Station this morning.
Forty police officers comprising the command, Forensic Sciences Services, intelligence, close protection and cyclists were deployed with other regional law enforcement officers to assist the Samoa Police, Prisons & Corrections Services with security operations during CHOGM through the support of the Pacific Community of Law Enforcement Cooperation (PCLEC) a programme under the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police Three of the forty officers were deployed under the Pacific Police Support Group (PPSG) through the support of the Australian Federal Police.
The PPSG consisted of 40 police officers from 11 Pacific countries operationally led by an officer of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.
The PPSG is part of the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI), a collective regional response to ensure peace and security across the Pacific and is a deployable police force that can provide assistance during major events and support in times of crisis, at the request of a Pacific country.
The Acting Commissioner of Police said “Contingent commander, officers, thank you very much for honouring my request before we parted ways, and for maintaining the proud legacy of our deployment history through the exceptional and professional conduct of your respective duties.
I also welcome back the officers who were part of the Pacific Police Support group – and are part of regional policing history in being part of the first ever PPSG deployment.” “Both deployments are a testament to Fiji’s commitment towards regional cooperation efforts designed for the Pacific and led and delivered by the Pacific.
On behalf of the Fiji Government and your comrades, I extend our collective appreciation and congratulations for a job well done. Vinaka vakalevu for flying our flags proudly.”
The Acting Commissioner also welcomed the special breakfast hosted for the returning contingent officers from the Vanuatu Police who were members of the PPSG. “From a leadership perspective where the discussions and planning are done, the main and most crucial element is always the execution – where you all come in.
As your Acting Commissioner, I am truly honoured and proud to be at the helm of our organization where we can back ourselves and the commitments made at the regional Police chiefs’ level, through our actions.”
“We have consistently been making statements that Fiji is ready to be one or two homes of regional policing centers, and for those in power to take notice, they would have been following with keen interest whether we are capable of walking the talk, and you have certainly helped us prove our point.
I believe that regional leaders have agreed that the CHOGM event has certainly put the world on notice that Pacific police have the capability and capacity to ensure the stability and security of global events.”
The Acting Commissioner of Police also acknowledged with sincere gratitude the support of the Samoa Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo and Samoan comrades for their hospitality and for looking after the officers during the deployment.