Fiji Police Force Commissioner (FPF) Rusiate Tudravu and AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett have together released the official communique from the first Pacific Transnational Crime Summit, held in Fiji from May 18-22.
Focused on the opportunity to advance Pacific-led policing cooperation to combat the malicious threat of transnational organised crime in the region, the summit carried the theme of 'Connected by Ocean, United in the Fight'.
The summit, co-hosted by the FPF and AFP, brought together law enforcement from across the Pacific and internationally, as well as members of the banking and finance sector, Pacific Islands Law Officers' Network and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime.
Reflections in the communique included that Pacific Police Chiefs:
Acknowledged the unique challenges the Pacific region faces in targeting the enablers of transnational organised crime, including corruption, technology and violence.
Recommitted to the Pacific Transnational Crime Network (PTCN) framework and commissioned a review of the PTCN terms of reference, incorporating maritime domain awareness.
Welcomed the Pacific Police Ministers' recommendation that an intelligence-led mechanism for coordinated maritime interdictions of illicit drugs be developed to bridge the law enforcement-maritime security gap through better information sharing and coordination between the Pacific Transnational Crime Coordination Centre (PTCCC) and the Maritime Essential Services Centre, for consideration by Pacific Island Forum Leaders in Palau (which will host the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting starting 30 August).
Acknowledged the Police Ministers' request to develop harm reduction protocols, and occupational health and safety capacity building, in consultation with government and community partners, and taking into particular account the unique vulnerabilities and challenges of Smaller Island States.
Fully support the announcement of the International Joint Investigations Team (IJIT) comprising partners with Australian and New Zealand law enforcement agencies with the Colombian National Police to help stop illicit drug shipments coming to the region.
Welcomed the announcement of the Pacific Fintel Alliance Public-Private Partnership to increase the financial sector's resilience to prevent exploitation by criminals and support law enforcement investigations into transnational crime and national security matters.
Endorsed the introduction of Pacific Watch, an online reporting mechanism that empowers the public to report safely, anonymously and confidently, recognising the importance of community members to identify signs of transnational crime.
Commissioner Tudravu said the summit reinforced the importance of collaboration and consolidating efforts in support of regional security and law enforcement architecture.
"The commonalities faced in the fight against transnational crime, while varying in scale, require collaboration across regional and international law enforcement, and this was evident throughout the summit," Commissioner Tudravu said.
"With the backing of our Police Ministers, the onus is on us as Police Chiefs to ensure tangible outcomes that can be felt throughout our Pacific communities. We cannot afford to allow the summit to be just another meeting. Our people demand action, and we vow to reflect this through enhanced collaboration, sending a strong collective warning that the Pacific is fighting back."
Commissioner Barrett said with a key focus on combatting the region's growing threat of illicit drugs - chiefly fuelled by Australia's lucrative market for them - the summit recognised that the best solutions for the Pacific came from Pacific leaders.
"Pacific Island Police Chiefs have watched from afar the impacts of illicit drugs on Australia and now they fear the diabolical reality facing their communities," Commissioner Barrett said.
"Together, as heads of Pacific Police, we need to target the cartels and organised criminals who are trafficking the poison affecting our communities and our kids.
"Our communities are relying on our collective action to keep them safe. It takes our connected network of Pacific Chiefs and Commissioners to break the organised crime networks targeting our communities."
