opening of the Australian Federal Police Pacific Policing Initiative

Fiji’s Acting Commissioner of Police has lauded the recent opening of the Australian Federal Police Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI) Development and Coordination Hub and Police Training Centre in Pinkenba, Brisbane in terms of addressing shared security interests in the Pacific region.

The Acting Commissioner Juki Fong Chew had joined fellow Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police, senior Fiji Police officers and members of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces in witnessing the opening of the two state of the art training facilities earlier this month.

A/CP Chew said the opening was equally as significant for the Fiji Police Force noting the organisation’s contribution towards the design and consultation to the proof of concept phases aligned to the three PPI Pillars of; 1) Regional Policing Centers of Excellence Pillar 2) A multinational Pacific Police response capability Pillar 3) A Pacific Policing Development and Coordination Hub The Pinkenba Hub is an AFP-supported training and education facility created to support the PPI, the PPI’s Pacific Police Support Group (PPSG) and Pacific policing partners in training and development.

“Fiji recognises that participation in the PPI at all levels is important in meeting regional needs of responding to peace and security challenges.”

“That is why we have released senior officers from the Assistant Commissioner level to be part of the PPI Design Advisory Group and senior officials who joined regional member representatives in formalising the legal frameworks of the multi-million-dollar initiative funded by the Australian Government and more recently the release of Fijian officers to be part of the PPI Pacific Police Support Group deployed to Samoa in October 2024.”

The Acting Commissioner said the opening of the two facilities in Pinkenba, Brisbane is sure to generate greater cooperation and development for regional member countries, unifying the Pacific region’s ability to respond to shared security challenges.

“Concurrently we are also looking at means of empowering our own organisational standing in the delivery of the three pillars aligned with the PICP principles and values of - By the Pacific, for the Pacific, such as the Public Order Management training conducted in partnership with AFP, and Fiji stands ready to host as one of the Regional Centres of Excellence.”

The Fiji Police Force acknowledges with appreciation the Australian Federal Police and PICP for their commitment towards Pacific policing and since the Pinkenba Hub was made available in July this year, Fiji has deployed officers to attend and participate in training programs continuing the proud legacy of collaboration of law enforcement within the region.