The AFP has joined Pacific police partners at the 2024 Pacific Transnational Crime Network (PTCN) Capacity Development Forum in Vanuatu to address current and emerging criminal threats facing the region.
The forum brought together 18 representatives from 21 member countries, including French Polynesia, which joined the network in September.
The week-long event, held between 11-15 November, 2024, saw Transnational Crime Unit (TCU) Team Leaders engage in face-to-face talks, exchange experiences, and explore new ways to collaborate for greater impact.
The TCU Team Leaders discussed key issues in their communities and how they are addressing them, such as the illicit drug trade, organised crime groups in the Pacific, travel of known child sex offenders and illegal immigration.
The TCU Team Leaders also used the forum to reaffirm their commitment to working together to ensure a safe and secure Pacific, guided by the principle of being 'By the Pacific, For the Pacific'.
The PTCN is a Pacific-led initiative which provides proactive criminal intelligence and investigative capabilities to combat transnational crime, and comprises 29 TCUs across Pacific countries
TCUs are responsible for identifying and targeting organised crime impacting local communities. The AFP has regional advisors to TCUs in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.
The network uses a multi-agency and regional approach to target transnational crime, encompassing police, immigration, customs and other law enforcement agencies.
AFP Detective Superintendent Elias Petropoulos said the annual conference saw relationships between Pacific nations go from strength to strength.
"With the ever-increasing threat of transnational serious organised crime impacting the Pacific region, the importance of collaboration is now more important than ever," Det-Supt Petropoulos said.
"The recent addition of French Polynesia to the PTCN family will provide our entire Pacific network with opportunities for enhanced coverage and capabilities to target and disrupt transnational and serious organised crime.
"The AFP is a proud founding member of the PTCN and we remain dedicated to supporting its vision and goals in ensuring safety and security in the Pacific region."
PTCN Executive Sponsor & Samoa Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo said: "We reflect on the successes of the past that brings us pride, but we also know our journey is far from over. The road ahead is challenging and it will demand our dedication, resilience and commitment to a mission that unites us all for a safer and more peaceful Pacific region."
