By Kirsty Needham
In a recent speech to Pacific Islands police chiefs, Tonga's Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni emphasized the critical role of police in providing "freedom from fear" in democracies. This comes at a time when major powers are increasingly focusing on the region.
Exciting developments are ahead as a top U.S. counter-narcotics official prepares to travel to Tonga for the first U.S.-Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police dialogue at the annual conference of the regional police body.
Notably, China is making efforts to expand its policing presence in the Pacific, particularly in the Solomon Islands and Kiribati. This has raised concerns among U.S. ally Australia, prompting a A$400 million plan to enhance training and establish a mobile unit of Pacific Islands police to reduce reliance on external forces.
Sovaleni highlighted the evolving role of policing in the Pacific Ocean, calling it a "pivotal arena" for global interests. He stressed that policing is not just about safety and security, but also about providing people with the freedom to pursue their dreams, while safeguarding democratic institutions from undue influence.
The conference will focus on implementing the Pacific Policing Initiative, which received funding from Australia and was endorsed by leaders of the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum. External partners looking to support policing efforts must work within the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police framework.
As the U.S. intensifies its efforts in combating the fentanyl crisis, Assistant Secretary Todd Robinson will visit Tonga to engage with regional leaders. Fentanyl, a synthetic drug trafficked through Mexico with precursor chemicals sourced from China, has become a significant concern for law enforcement.
With Washington's commitment to collaborate with the Pacific Islands in curbing drug trafficking by criminal networks, the region is poised to address security challenges effectively.
Overall, the discussions at the conference and the initiatives being undertaken underscore the importance of law enforcement in upholding freedom, security, and democratic values in the Pacific region.
($1 = 1.4837 Australian dollars)
