A landmark €348,06 million programme aimed at transforming law enforcement across the Pacific region has officially launched, marking a new chapter in regional security cooperation.

Known as the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI), this Pacific-led, Australian-supported plan seeks to strengthen policing capabilities through coordinated training, infrastructure and operational support.

The PPI was formally endorsed by Pacific leaders at the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga on 28 August 2024. Backed by AUD 400 million (USD 271 million), the initiative is designed to address increasing security concerns across a vast and often under-policed region. The programme focuses on combatting challenges such as transnational crime, drug trafficking, and illegal fishing, while enhancing disaster response capabilities. With China increasing its security presence in some Pacific states, Australia has portrayed the PPI as a strategic effort to empower Pacific nations with policing sovereignty.

The PPI is structured around three pillars: the establishment of Regional Centres of Excellence, the creation of the Pacific Police Support Group (PPSG), and the coordination and delivery of both pillars through the Pacific Policing Development and Coordination Hub, located in Pinkenba, Australia.

Empowering through training: Regional Centres of Excellence

Key to the initiative is the creation of Regional Centres of Excellence (RCOEs). The first RCOE was established in Papua New Guinea in March 2025 and will serve as a central hub for police training and development. Designed and led by Pacific police, the centre provides specialised instruction in areas such as recruit training, investigations, and forensics. It is the first of four centres planned across the region, offering a consistent and high-standard approach to law enforcement education.

The training facility in Papua New Guinea reflects the core mission of the PPI: to build sovereign capabilities and support professional development across all Pacific Island police services. The centre will also act as a knowledge-sharing platform, fostering collaboration to address cross-border threats and complex criminal challenges.

Regional response in action: Pacific Police Support Group

The Pacific Police Support Group (PPSG) forms a fundamental operational pillar of the PPI. Designed to deploy quickly in response to planned events or emergencies, the PPSG already supported Samoa during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October 2024. Comprising up to six-month training rotations of 25 Pacific police officers through the Pinkenba Hub, the group can be rapidly scaled for high-risk or time-sensitive missions.

Pinkenba Coordination Hub and Training Centre

Officially launched in December 2024, the Pacific Policing Development and Coordination Hub, based in Pinkenba in Brisbane, alongside the nearby Pinkenba Training Centre, is a state-of-the-art facility that plays a pivotal role in delivering the PPI. The training centre features modular and reconfigurable environments designed to simulate real-world policing scenarios. It includes a simulated house, multi-floor environments, dark scenario spaces, and virtual training rooms tailored for emergency response exercises.

“This is a state-of-the art training facility that will boost the collective law enforcement capabilities of our policing partners across the region through crucial collaboration and learning opportunities,” said AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw.

The facility has already trained hundreds of Pacific police officers in a wide range of disciplines, including operational safety, investigations, and public order management.

The Pinkenba Hub is also the headquarters for the PPI’s coordination efforts. Staffed by seconded officers from Pacific nations and the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the hub ensures seamless delivery of training and logistical support to both the PPSG and the Regional Centres of Excellence.

A shared vision for a safer Pacific

At the heart of the Pacific Policing Initiative lies a powerful message of unity and resilience. By pooling knowledge, resources, and operational strength, the Pacific policing community aims to respond more effectively to the region’s evolving security landscape.

RPNGC Commissioner David Manning highlighted the strength of regional cooperation: “The Pacific Policing Initiative ensures that no matter the size of a jurisdiction, we can leverage our shared expertise and resources to secure our communities.”

The PPI exemplifies the region’s commitment to supporting one another through professional development, operational readiness, and collective response. As this initiative continues to evolve, it promises to strengthen not only individual police forces but also the broader security network that underpins peace and stability across the Pacific.

Image source: https://www.afp.gov.au/

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Banner title: From training hubs to rapid response: Pacific nations strengthen police ties

Alternative text for photo: A group of Pacific Island police officers stands in formation during a formal inspection ceremony. The officers, dressed in blue uniforms and berets, are lined up outdoors on a gravel parade ground, displaying discipline and unity. One senior officer walks past the line, inspecting the ranks, while another officer holds a ceremonial sword. The setting is shaded by large trees in the background, and the Australian Federal Police logo is visible in the top right corner, indicating international cooperation. The image highlights professionalism, regional solidarity, and the spirit of joint training under the Pacific Policing Initiative.

Link caption: pacific-policing-initiative

Article description (100) words: The Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI) is a major $400 million programme aimed at strengthening law enforcement across the Pacific. Led by Pacific nations and supported by Australia, the PPI enhances regional policing through new training centres, rapid-response teams, and a central coordination hub in Brisbane. Key features include Regional Centres of Excellence—like the one launched in Papua New Guinea—and the Pacific Police Support Group, designed for quick deployment. Through shared training, infrastructure and operational support, the PPI empowers Pacific police forces to tackle transnational crime, respond to emergencies, and reinforce sovereignty in an increasingly complex security environment.

Page description: The Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI) is a landmark AUD 400 million programme transforming regional law enforcement through training, operational support, and collaboration. Endorsed by Pacific leaders in August 2024, and backed by Australia, the PPI addresses challenges such as transnational crime and disaster response while reinforcing Pacific policing sovereignty. At its core are three pillars: Regional Centres of Excellence, the Pacific Police Support Group, and a coordination hub in Pinkenba, Australia. The Pinkenba Training Centre offers cutting-edge, scenario-based facilities and has already trained hundreds of officers. With new infrastructure in Papua New Guinea and joint deployments in Samoa, the PPI empowers Pacific nations through shared expertise. As Commissioner David Manning said, the initiative ensures that all jurisdictions—large or small—can protect their communities through collective strength.