Pacific Policing heads meets in PNG

“No one’s voice is too big or small, as we need to collectively make decisions today for the future of Pacific policing.”

Remarks made by the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Commissioner and Chair of the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI) Design Steering Group (DSG) David Manning, during the opening of the DSG meeting at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on Monday 21st July 2025.

Through the Australian Federal Police (AFP) supported PPI, police forces across the Pacific have committed to combat shared security challenges for a safer and secure Pacific region through coordinated efforts.

In attendance is Fiji’s Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu and fellow Pacific Policing Chiefs from Vanuatu, Nauru, Samoa, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Tonga, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

The objectives of the meeting was to consult on the Regional Policing Alignment Project, receive an update of the Design Advisory Group and legal Workshop held in Vanuatu on the 24th – 26th June, discuss upcoming engagements and the next steps of the ongoing implementation processes.

PNG Police Commissioner Manning stressed the need to have open and frank conversations in harmonising regional law enforcement mechanisms and arrangements, within existing regional structures.

Commissioner Manning conveyed the Pacific Chiefs’ appreciation to the AFP for its approach in ensuring equal participation in the design and proof of practice phases, as it was incumbent for all voices to be heard and reflected in the PPI framework.

AFP Assistant Commissioner Pacific Nigel Ryan assured the PPI Design Steering Group of their intent in a complimentary capacity, supporting the aspirations of regional policing in overcoming current and future shared security challenges across the Pacific.

Fiji’s Director of International Relations Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ulaiasi Ravula provided a brief of the outcomes of the Design Advisory Group and Legal Workshop held in Vanuatu focused on advancement of the work under the three PPI pillars of; 

1?? Regional Centers of Excellence.

2?? Pacific Policing Support Group (PPSG)

3?? Pacific Policing Development and Coordination Hub.

The meeting is expected to draw up resolutions to be presented at the upcoming Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police (PICP) Annual Conference to be held in New Zealand in August 2025.