AFP Donates Equipment to Fiji Police to Strengthen Regional Crime Response

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) yesterday handed over a consignment of operational equipment to the Fiji Police Force, reaffirming its support through the ongoing FPF Uplift program.

The handover ceremony, held at the Fiji Police Academy in Nasova, was facilitated by AFP Assistant Commissioner Pacific Nigel Ryan and received by Fiji’s Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu. Present at the event were Australian Assistant Minister for the Pacific Senator the Honourable Nita Green, Australian High Commissioner to Fiji H.E. Peter Roberts OAM, and Permanent Secretary for Policing Mr Berenado Daveta.

According to the Fiji Police Force's official Facebook page, ACP Ryan highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in tackling transnational crime.

“Our longstanding partnership is built on trust and collaboration,” Ryan said. “The Solesolevaki Partnership and Police Cooperation MOU signed earlier this year further cements our shared commitment to strengthening policing capability across the Pacific.”

He acknowledged Fiji’s growing leadership in regional security initiatives, including the Pacific Policing Initiative, and praised the participation of Fijian officers in international deployments, such as the Pacific Mini Games in Palau.

Commissioner Tudravu thanked the AFP and said the support comes at a crucial time, given the resource constraints many Pacific police forces face.

“Our officers have the passion and commitment to serve,” he said. “But resourcing has always been a challenge. This handover is a timely boost to our efforts under the Uplift program to restore public trust through better service delivery.”

Items received included vehicles, transnational crime-fighting tools, deployment equipment, and traffic control gear.

Commissioner Tudravu also acknowledged the fast turnaround from initial discussions to delivery, thanking ACP Ryan and the AFP team in Fiji, led by Detective Superintendent Grant.