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Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Deputy Commissioner Dr Philip Mitna and AFP Assistant Commissioner Nigel Ryan have today (21 March, 2025) opened the Pacific Policing Initiative’s (PPI’s) first Regional Centre of Excellence (RCOE) to provide the Pacific with police recruit and investigations training.  

The training and development facility in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is the first of four RCOEs planned across the region. It comes under the umbrella of the PPI and will provide professional development opportunities to police across the Pacific.    

The PPI is a Pacific-led, Australian-backed initiative, building on decades of Pacific police cooperation to empower the Pacific to respond collectively in times of need.

Located in Port Moresby, the RCOE will serve as a training and development hub, with specialised courses developed and led by Pacific police, to share unique capabilities in the fight against cross-border law-enforcement challenges, including crime and emerging events.  

The Australian Government has provided funding to develop and support the centre, which will ensure the PPI delivers on the aspirations of Pacific countries and supports PNG’s sovereign capabilities.  

Assistant Commissioner Ryan said this first RCOE demonstrated the strength of Pacific police partnerships.  

“The Regional Centre of Excellence is a critical and necessary step in bolstering the region's law-enforcement capabilities,” Assistant Commissioner Ryan said. “The AFP is proud to be part of the official opening of the PPI’s first RCOE and to deliver a significant milestone in our efforts to support and enhance policing operations in the Pacific region.

“Crime has no borders and the collaboration boosted through this RCOE will continue to ensure law enforcement is boosted through training and capability uplift.  

“This work, shared between Pacific police partners, is vital for enhancing the security of communities across the region and for collectively countering evolving regional security threats.”  

Note to media 

Pacific Policing Initiative

• The Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI) is “By the Pacific, For the Pacific” and represents a comprehensive effort to bolster law-enforcement capabilities and ensure the safety and security of communities across the Pacific region.
• Testament to the power of Pacific cooperation, it aims to address the unique challenges of Pacific nations to meet law and order and internal security requirements, and to help each other in times of need.
• The PPI’s aim is to transform Pacific policing capability and cooperation through three pillars:
  • Regional Centres of Excellence
  • Pacific Policing Support Group (PPSG)
  • Pacific Policing Development and Coordination Hub

Pillar 1 – Regional Centres of Excellence

• Regional Centres of Excellence will enhance Pacific police capabilities through delivery of specialist police training and operational support. They will be positioned across the Pacific and be accessible by all Pacific Island Chiefs of Police members.
• Each centre will offer specialised training and professional development based on priority areas, including recruit training, investigations, specialist investigations, operational forensics and analytical forensics.

 Pillar 2 – Pacific Police Support Group

• The Pacific Police Support Group (PPSG) is a multinational police response capability that will respond to Pacific Island countries’ requests for assistance.
• The core of the PPSG will be formed by up to six-month training rotations of 25 Pacific police officers through the Pinkenba Hub (see Pillar 3). A surge capability will supplement and increase the capacity of the core group when required.  
• Requests for support could range from planned activities such as Pacific Games to unplanned events such as natural disasters.

 Pillar 3 – Pacific Policing Development and Coordination Hub

• The Pacific Policing Development and Coordination Hub is based in Pinkenba in Brisbane, Australia and will coordinate and support the delivery of Pillars 1 and 2.
• The Pinkenba Hub will be staffed with seconded Pacific Police and AFP members, deliver training to members of the PPSG, support the development of the Regional Centres of Excellence and enhance Pacific coordination.