Policing Challenges Top Conference Focus
The Fiji Police Force has been part of discussions on policies and strategies being put in place to address rising global policing challenges.
The discussions at the 38th ASEANAPOL conference in Brunei Darussalam noted the emergence of new crimes, increased technological advancements and the increase in movement of goods, services and people across borders. ASEANAPOL is the grouping of police organisations in South East Asia.
With the theme “Coherent As One, Facing Challenges”, the ASEANAPOL Conference serves as a platform for all ASEAN Member countries, dialogue partners and observers to meet and synergise towards achieving one goal: To maintain peace and security of the region.
The Brunei Police Commissioner in welcoming delegates, maintained that the conference served to maintain co-operation and partnership and as such it was imperative for the ASEANAPOL to be untied as one law enforcement body irrespective of our diverse backgrounds and cultures. Commissioner of Police Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho, who led Fiji’s delegation to the conference, said the Fiji Police Force had been active since its observer status at ASEANAPOL was granted in 2016.
He said the Fiji Police Force could not afford to sit back and allow the criminal landscape to dictate our way of life.
In the absence of formal agreements Brigadier General Qiliho has visited and held discussions with the hierarchy of the Royal Thai Police, the Royal Malaysia Police and more recently with the Republic of Korea to enhance police co-operation between the respective law enforcement institutions noting the increased exchange in various sectors of development and trade between Fiji and ASEAN members.
This in addition to the established agreement with the Indonesian National Police and established relations with key Dialogue Partners at the ASEANAPOL: China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the INTERPOL.
The Fiji Police thanked all ASEANAPOL affiliated institutions for assisting the Fiji Police Force and for upholding the fundamental principles of enhancing police professionalism, forging stronger regional co-operation in policing and promoting lasting friendship amongst police officers of ASEANAPOL member countries, Dialogue Partners and Observers.
As the theme of this conference stated, Brig-Gen Qiliho said, this best way to fight transnational crime and the Fiji Police Force was truly appreciative of the opportunity to be an observer of the distinguished body.
Police Chiefs from the 10 member countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) attended including Police Chiefs and heads of key Dialogue Partners, China, South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Turkey, the INTERPOL and the ASEAN Secretariat.
Police Chiefs and Heads of Observer partners: Fiji, Timor Leste, United Kingdom, FBI, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), EUROPOL and the ICRC also attended the 38th ASEANAPOL Conference.