The 4th Melanesian Spearhead Group Police Commissioners’ Conference ended at the Tanoa Hotel in Nadi with resounding progress on a number of initiatives anticipated to progress issues on Police Cooperation for the MSG.
Significant progress has been made on several key issues such as the advancement of the Formed Police Unit (FPU), Regional Police Unit (RPA) as well as the Department of Peace Keeping Operations.
These key initiatives are now in their final development stages whereby logistic arrangements are now being finalised since its endorsement in June 2013.
Another significant milestone was the MSG Commissioners’ endorsement to pursue bilateral arrangements in as far as capacity building, information sharing and human resources are concerned.
Currently the Fiji Police Force and the Royal Solomon Islands are finalizing their bilateral arrangements and today sideline talks were held between the Papua New Guinea Police Force and their Fijian counterparts on drawing up similar bilateral arrangements which will all be pursued under the MSG umbrella.
The meeting also heard of the progress on the initiative to establish a MSG Police Womens’ Network. It was noted with appreciation the work done towards recognising the contribution of female officers despite the absence of the Network.
Currently the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force is being headed by a female officer who is acting in the position. Meanwhile Fiji has also made inroads in this area with the request from the United Nations to send more female officers to serve in overseas mission.
The MSG Police Womens Network is an initiative to supplement the existing women network within the Pacific region and also address concerns of Policewomen in light of their increasing role in policing activities/programmes.
The meeting has therefore endorsed the Secretariat to pursue programs aimed at empowering women officers.
Another new initiative aimed at enhancing relationships between MSG Police organisations was that of the Police Games. The meeting has endorsed that a MSG Police Sports sub-committee to look into the finer details of the Games scheduled to be held in 2015.
The next MSG Police Commissioners Conference will be held in the Solomon Islands.
Mr Philippe Ajapuhnya
Co-Chair and
Representative of the FLNKS
FLNKS Political Bureau
New Caledonia
Mr Ravi Narayan
Co-Chair and
Ag Commissioner of Police
Republic of Fiji
MEDIA RELEASE.