Pacific police chiefs have endorsed a new constitution establishing the Pacific Community of Policing (PACPOL), creating a unified, Pacific-led framework for regional policing cooperation, security and capability development.
The decision was made on 14 October 2026 during the 53rd Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police (PICP) Conference in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
The endorsement brings more than 56 years of regional policing collaboration into a new phase, uniting the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police and the Pacific Policing Initiative under a single regional organisation.
Commissioner David Manning of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary was elected PACPOL’s inaugural chair, while Commissioner Matatia Makaili of the Tuvalu Police Service was appointed deputy chair.
The appointments mark the beginning of a new governance structure intended to strengthen cooperation among Pacific police services and improve the region’s ability to respond to shared security challenges.
23 members unite under Pacific-led policing framework
Representatives from across the Pacific attended the conference, including police chiefs or delegates from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and other Pacific jurisdictions.
Wallis and Futuna was also welcomed as the organisation’s newest member, becoming its 23rd member.
PACPOL will operate under the principle of “By the Pacific, for the Pacific”, with a focus on regional leadership, operational coordination, workforce development and strategic governance.
The new organisation is intended to provide a unified platform for setting and delivering regional policing priorities, strengthening operational readiness and sharing expertise across jurisdictions.
A single Chiefs Leadership Board will replace the separate governance arrangements previously used by the PICP and the Pacific Policing Initiative.
The existing Pacific Policing Initiative Hub in Pinkenba, Brisbane, and the PICP Secretariat will transition into the PACPOL Hub and PACPOL Secretariat, maintaining continuity while supporting a more integrated regional policing model.
Leaders welcome historic decision
Chair of the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police and Commissioner of the Northern Mariana Islands Department of Public Safety, Anthony Macaranas, described the endorsement as a historic moment for regional policing.
“The endorsement of the PACPOL Constitution demonstrates the collective leadership, unity and ambition of Pacific Police Chiefs to strengthen our region’s policing architecture,” Commissioner Macaranas said.
He said the new organisation would bring existing institutions, capabilities and partnerships together under one identity, helping Pacific nations address emerging challenges, support communities and protect their sovereignty.
Inaugural chair Commissioner Manning said PACPOL would strengthen regional capability and coordination at a time when Pacific police services faced increasingly complex challenges.
“Through a unified approach, we can better develop our people, share expertise, enhance operational readiness and work together to respond to threats that no single jurisdiction can address alone,” he said.
He added that the constitution provided a foundation for practical outcomes to improve safety, resilience and security across the Pacific.
Australia backs Pacific policing cooperation
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett also welcomed the decision, describing it as a significant milestone for regional unity.
“As AFP Commissioner, I am honoured to have cast a historic vote in favour of a long-held ambition of this region. PACPOL,” Commissioner Barrett said.
“Pacific unity is more than a principle. Today, it is an action, a commitment and a promise to future generations.”
She said the endorsement demonstrated the value of Pacific nations working together to shape regional security through Pacific voices, priorities and solutions.
The establishment of PACPOL moves the initiative from planning and design to implementation, providing a formal structure for decision-making, governance and the coordination of regional policing priorities.
The new organisation is expected to strengthen the collective voice of Pacific police services both regionally and internationally, while supporting a safer, more connected and resilient Pacific.
Its success will depend on how effectively member jurisdictions translate the new framework into practical cooperation, capability development and coordinated responses to threats that cross national borders.
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