PICP Communique 2009
Communiqué
38th PACIFIC ISLANDS CHIEFS OF POLICE CONFERENCE
HELD IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA, 1 – 3 September 2009
Youth in the Pacific
The annual meeting of the 38th Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police (PICP) was held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on 1 – 3 September 2009. The theme for the conference was “Youth in the Pacific” and was hosted and chaired by the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.
The newly adopted PICP Strategic Direction 2009-2014 aims to achieve its vision, safe and secure communities for all Pacific Island countries, through this strategy by promoting ethics and integrity; regional capacity development and regional cooperation.
The members of the PICP considered a range of issues such as criminal deportees, use of force, youth programmes, reporting protocols for crimes committed on board cruise ships and the Women’s Advisory Network (WAN). The Chiefs reaffirmed their commitment to the PICP/UNAIDS programme agreeing to continue with the research into police behaviour and attitudes provided that funding could be obtained.
The Chiefs took part in a workshop in which they discussed the issues of youth in their jurisdictions and the implications for policing. The Chiefs have directed their Secretariat to conduct a review of the various youth programmes that are currently available within their countries to identify synergies with a view to adapting or developing programmes that may be applicable to the member countries. The Chiefs acknowledged the outstanding presentation by the Yumi Lukautim Mosbi Youth Programme. This multi agency approach was recognised by the Chiefs as a good model containing many lessons that may be valuable if implemented in each jurisdiction.
The Chiefs have endorsed reporting guidelines for crimes committed on board cruise ships. This provides the opportunity for police to work proactively with the commercial industry to address this issue. The cruise ship industry is the fastest growing travel industry in the world providing unique issues for responding police. The potential for criminals to exploit this industry is exacerbated by the confusion related to jurisdiction.
The Chiefs continue to support a range of activities to enhance the response capability and management of information intelligence to combat transnational crime in the region. This includes promoting the sharing of intelligence and capability throughout the Pacific via the Pacific Transnational Crime Network and the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat led Information Data Sharing Project.
The Chiefs have continued to recognise the potential of their patrol boats to expand their current role, utilising limited resources more effectively and efficiently. The Chiefs will continue to support and promote interagency cooperation and multitasking of the patrol boats for wider law enforcement purposes beyond fisheries.
The Chiefs have also agreed to undertake to develop clear policies for the use of force where none exist and to ensure that officers within member countries are trained and conversant with their use of force policy. Providing strong guidance in relation to the use of force by their officers will promote the appropriate level of response by police in the region.
The Chair of the 37th Conference, Commissioner Papali’i Lorenese Neru (Samoa) awarded the Chairman’s Award for Outstanding Service to Constable Sisilah Rachelmana Puleheloto of Niue. The award recognised her commitment and outstanding contribution in working with the youth in Niue and for her role in the Outreach programme within the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands.
The Chiefs continued their support and endorsement of the PICP WAN Exchange and Sister City Programme. These programmes provide the opportunity for female police officers from the different jurisdictions to travel to other Pacific countries to work with the local police and undertake study related to a specialised operational aspect of policing.
The conference reconsidered the suspension of Fiji police from the PICP and resolved that it should continue.
The effect of the suspension has been that the PICP continues to interact with Fiji Police staff on humanitarian and operational issues, such as HIV AIDS and Human Rights, as well as disaster response development. The PICP has not engaged Fiji police on any new projects or initiatives.
The Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police will meet again in Australia in 2010.
