Members of the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police (PICP) touched base earlier via Skype to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 and share operational lessons and challenges of policing under the current global pandemic situation.

Representing the Fiji Police Force on behalf of the Commissioner of Police was Deputy Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu and Director International Relations SSP Ulaiasi Ravula and joining in on the Skype calls were Commissioners of Police from Papua New Guinea, Guam, French Polynesia,Tuvalu, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Nauru and representatives of the PICP Secretariat, Australian Federal Police and New Zealand Police.

It was an opportunity to discuss challenges of policing under the COVID-19 situation where the Policing role in the maintenance of law and order and safety is seen as a vital component towards supporting all Government efforts in containing the virus the world over.

Similar challenges noted by all PICP members include social distancing or physical distancing restrictions to the monitoring of social gatherings.

Ongoing efforts to support Health workers was a major topic of discussions considering the need to ensure routine policing was not affected.