Pacific police commissioners to gather in PNG for regional security talks and band tattoo

Police Commissioners and their police bands from eight Pacific Island nations will converge in Papua New Guinea this weekend to take part in the Pacific Police Band Tattoo program, which kicks off this Sunday and concludes on Tuesday next week.

While the event will showcase cultural and musical performances from participating police bands, it will also serve as a platform for high-level discussions on regional law and order challenges.

As part of their stay in Port Moresby, the commissioners will attend a regional meeting focused on addressing pressing security concerns, particularly transnational crimes such as drug trafficking and illegal arms smuggling.

Assistant Commissioner of Police and NCD/Central Commander Benjamin Turi stressed the importance of the meeting, saying it will shed light on growing threats affecting the region.

“This meeting is crucial as it highlights some of the major law and order issues in the Pacific, especially those involving drug trafficking and the smuggling of firearms,” Turi said.

He said the Pacific shares maritime borders, making it particularly vulnerable to transnational criminal activity.

“The police commissioners have held ongoing discussions over the years, and they’ve identified emerging crime trends particularly around the drug trade,” he said.
"Crimes involving digital platforms and social media are also becoming more prominent. We share the same waters from places like Bougainville to the Solomon Islands and we’ve seen drugs coming from as far as the Americas, passing through Fiji and the Solomons.”

Turi added that the rise in cocaine and methamphetamine cases across the Pacific is a growing concern that requires coordinated efforts among Pacific Island nations.

The Pacific Police Band Tattoo, while symbolic of regional unity and cultural pride, will also be a backdrop to crucial conversations on strengthening regional security cooperation.