Deputy Commissioner of Police Mesake Waqa has been appointed the inaugural Executive Director of the Pacific Community of Policing (PACPOL) Hub in Brisbane, Australia.
The Fiji Police Force announced the appointment, describing it as a proud achievement for Fiji and the organisation.
Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu said the appointment continued Fiji’s longstanding contribution to regional policing efforts.
He said DCP Waqa’s extensive leadership experience in Fiji and international peacekeeping would strengthen regional policing cooperation, capability building and operational coordination.
The PACPOL Hub will serve as the primary mechanism for coordinating the development and delivery of regional policing priorities.
Its establishment follows a commitment by Pacific Police Chiefs to bring together the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police (PICP) and the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI) under one Pacific-led and Pacific-owned framework.
The initiative aims to strengthen regional policing cooperation and ensure programmes deliver outcomes that benefit Pacific communities.
DCP Waqa, who hails from Burebasaga Village in Rewa, holds a Master of Criminology from Macquarie University in Australia.
He has also completed studies in global leadership, critical thinking and analysis, and academic English.
Commissioner Tudravu said his appointment would complement the collective efforts of Pacific Police Chiefs to strengthen regional policing structures and create a more effective platform for collaboration and operational delivery.
He extended his best wishes to DCP Waqa as he takes up his new responsibilities in Brisbane.
