The first cohort of Pacific Policing Support Group members recently completed their training at the newly opened Pinkenba Training Centre and Development and Coordination Hub in Queensland, Australia. 

Amongst the participants were officers from the Vanuatu Police Force and Fiji Police, who shared their thoughts on the training experience.

Senimili Moli, a Fijian Police Officer, expressed her enthusiasm for the programme. 

“I love this work, and this, for me personally, it’s going to elevate me as a person—actually having some knowledge I’ve learned from this particular place like this, and actually instilling it to other police officers. That is something I’ll actually cherish, and I love sharing whatever knowledge I’ve learned with other comrades back in Fiji.”

As part of a tactical unit in the police mobile, she recognises these types of training as essential for enhancing her skills and effectiveness in her role. 

Moli also acknowledged the importance of identifying the limitations within their respective countries and emphasised the need to respect and work within those constraints to improve policing across the region.

Meanwhile, Christie Philip, a police officer from Vanuatu said there is a need for officers to undergo these types of training as it will help them tackle crime in their countries.

The Pacific Policing Support Group is a key component of the Pacific Policing Initiative, designed to provide rapid-response police assistance to Pacific island nations when requested. 

It is made up of 25 Australian Federal Police officers and up to 200 police officers from Pacific island nations, trained to deploy quickly in response to both planned events, like the Pacific Games and unplanned emergencies, such as natural disasters.

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