The Mnister for Police, Hon. Sir John T. Pundari, MBA CMG KBE MP, has welcomed the
creation ot the Pacific Policing Community (PACPOL) as a forum that will engage across law
enforcement jurisdictions, with the RPNGC Commissioner as the Chair.
Our Police have a great deal to give and share in this forum, we are bringing Police from Other
Pacific countries to train at the Bomana Centre of Excellence, and cross engagement will step
up through PACPOL.
Minister Pundari said: “There is much that can and will be gained from pooling resources,
intelligence and procedures, and this will make all of our countries safer.
“Pacific Police Chiefs have placed their trust in our RPNGC leadership under Commissioner
Manning at a defining time for our region.
“He has been at the forefront Of building contacts for intelligence and joint operations with
Pacific Police Forces and this is all coming together.
“Commissioner Manning’s election as the first PACPOL Chair is a mark of the confidence our
Pacific neighbours have in the RPNGC. Papua New Guinea is proud to lead, and we will lead
in partnership with our regional and international partners.”
Minister Pundari said PACPOL is crucial for the region as no single country could confront
organised crime alone.
“No country, be they big or small, can take on the internation criminal syndicates on their own
and come out on top. Criminal networks do not stop at borders, and neither can we. PACPOL
gives the Pacific a single platform to share expertise, build capability and work with our
partners to disrupt and dismantle the networks behind illicit drugs and firearms.
“We have to work jointly to get at the criminals who commit the most heinous crimes across
many of our countries. No longer can we let the criminals see the Pacific as easy targets,
because we are working together and we have strength in our shared beliefs and culture.
“As Mnister I am hearted to see the development Of PACPOL and I am engaging with my
Police and Internal Security counterparts to drive the political support that is needed to make
this work.
“l also thank Australia for their backing of our Pacific Islands Countries, particularly in ensuring
that the views and requirements of what we need are fully taken into account in the capacity
strengthening they provide.
‘PACPOL is driven by the Pacific, in collaboration with like-minds in the Australian Federal
Police. These are Pacific-led Policing solutions that protect our sovereignty in Pacific Island
Countries and Australia.
‘PACPOL unifies the PICP and the Pacific Policing Initiative under a single, Pacific-owned
body, guided by the principle ot the Pacific owning our own tuture and development.
“This community that has now been formalized, marks the culmination of more than 56 years
of regional policing collaboration. “
Minister Pundari said a single Chiefs Leadershb Board will replace the separate governance
arrangements ot the PICP and PPI, While the existing PPI Hub in Australia, and the PICP
Secretariat will transition to become the PACPOL Hub and PACPOL Secretariat.
PACPOL was formalized at the 53rd Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police (PICP) Conference on 14
Oct e 226 in the mmonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
