Local Issues, Solutions And Regional Cooperation

'Local Issues, Local Solutions, Regional Cooperation'

The annual meeting of the 39th Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police (PICP) was held in Brisbane, Australia on 24 - 26 August 2010. The theme for the conference was “Local issues, local solutions, regional cooperation" and was hosted and chaired by the Australian Federal Police (AFP). The Chiefs were officially welcomed to the country by song woman ‘Maroochy’ and were provided with a cultural performance by the Nunukul Yuggera group.

The conference was officially opened by AFP Commissioner Tony Negus who stated in his opening address that it was important for jurisdictions in the Pacific to take a whole of Government approach at a national level and he encouraged cooperation between jurisdictions in their fight against transnational crime.

Policing the Pacific often presents unique challenges and forums such as the PICP promotes regional cooperation in addressing the criminal environment, managing emergencies and disasters and policing in general. During the conference a range of issues were discussed including criminal deportees and their impact on Pacific nations, sharing of information and data regionally, police forensic support, and youth issues.

The conference had presentations from the Tongan Police Force, Commander Chris Kelley, relating to the sinking of the Princess Ashika Ferry in 2009 and from the Samoan Police Force, Commissioner Lilomaiava Fou Taioalo relating to the tsunami tragedy in September 2009. These presentations highlighted the importance of agency and international coordination in disaster response. It provided the opportunity for Pacific nations to share lessons learnt in responding to these types of incidents.

The Chiefs took part in a workshop and began work on developing a set of broad principles that would guide them and their organisations when dealing with disasters and emergencies.

The Chiefs further endorsed the work of the Pacific Police Domestic Violence Programme and the work it has completed over the last four years. The Chiefs desire to have this work continue was reinforced during discussions at the conference.

The conference reconsidered the suspension of Fiji Police from the PICP and resolved that this should continue. The effect of the suspension has been that PICP continues to interact with Fiji Police on humanitarian and operational issues such as HIV/Aids and Human Rights as well as disaster response development. The PICP has not engaged with Fiji Police on any new projects or initiatives.

The outgoing Chair, Commissioner Gari Baki of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary awarded the chairman’s award for outstanding service to Police Officer 1 Virginia Gay Umayan from the Bureau of Public Safety in Palau. The award recognised her commitment and outstanding service in the area of public safety and transport reform. It also acknowledged her exceptional performance and dedication to the United Nations Mission in Darfur whilst deployed in 2008 and 2010.

Regional organisations including the Oceanic Customs Organisation, Pacific Immigration Directors Conference, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the Pacific Islands Law Officers Network also attended the conference and provided updates on their activities over the past twelve months. They also identified opportunities for these regional bodies to work together on regional issues such as deportees and border security and common training needs. Representatives of the International Association Chiefs of Police from the United States also attended the conference to further develop their relationship with law enforcement organisations in the region.

The Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police will meet again in the Federated States of Micronesia in 2011.

ENDS

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