AFP strengthens partnership with Fiji Police Force

New agreement strengthens AFP partnership with Fiji Police Force

AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw and newly appointed Fiji Police Force (FPF) Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu have further strengthened ties this week, committing joint support to cross-border operations and law enforcement cooperation in the Pacific.

On the 3rd of March 2025, the two Commissioners signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Suva Fiji on behalf of their respective agencies, focussing on continuing and building upon the long-standing partnership between the AFP and the FPF.

As part of the MoU, the AFP will support Fiji Police uplift projects including information sharing, coordinating operations across all transnational crime and priority issues as well as corporate support leadership and professional development.

The AFP will also provide Strategic Advisers to embed within the FPF to assist across multiple capabilities including intelligence gathering, human resources and strategic operational planning.

As part of the agreement, the FPF has committed to hosting a Regional Centre of Excellence in operational field forensics under the Pacific Policing Initiative.

The Regional Centre of Excellence will be built to enhance FPF’s forensic capabilities through delivery of specialist police training and operational support. The centre will focus on enhancing and training members in world leading forensic techniques.

The centre will offer specialised training based on priority areas including recruit training, investigations, specialist investigations, operational forensics and analytical forensics

AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw said the agreement signalled a new era of support which continued the successful collaboration between police in both Fiji and Australia.

“The AFP has had members posted to Fiji as liaison officers and advisors for more than 20 years,” Commissioner Kershaw said.

“The embedding of AFP Strategic Advisors is a continuation of this mutual commitment to help ensure safety and security in the Pacific.

“The AFP is incredibly proud to continue decades of partnership and to deliver such a significant milestone in our efforts to support and enhance policing operations in the Pacific region.”

Fiji’s Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu said the signing of the new formalized agreement heralds a new dawn between traditional law enforcement partners based on mutual understanding and respect.

"The visit by the AFP Commissioner has been a wonderful opportunity to engage and strengthen networking at the strategic level, deepening our shared understanding of common security challenges within the region and the policing profession."

"The longstanding partnership between the FPF and AFP has always been based on respect and the shared understanding that we are stronger when working together under the Pacific spirit of solesolevaki in protecting our Pacific region from the growing threats of transnational crime."