AFP to push Australia's policing model to UN

Australia is advocating for a streamlined approach to training United Nations peacekeepers, aiming to reduce the duration from months to mere weeks. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett is set to champion this initiative at the upcoming United Nations Chief of Police Summit (UNCOPS) in New York, an event Australia is hosting for the first time.

Commissioner Barrett plans to argue that a more agile training model can be implemented without compromising standards. She will highlight Australia's successful track record, including the training of 100 police officers from across the Pacific region last year. This proposal comes at a time when the UN has recently reduced its peacekeeping budget, raising questions about the financial sustainability of its missions.

"When we say leaner, we mean a program delivered in five weeks instead of many months," Commissioner Barrett is expected to state. "When we say more affordable, we mean a model member states can actually sustain year on year, not one that strains a peacekeeping budget already under pressure." The UN's peacekeeping force was previously cut by 25% due to funding shortages, underscoring the need for cost-effective solutions.

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When we say leaner, we mean a program delivered in five weeks instead of many months. When we say more affordable, we mean a model member states can actually sustain year on year, not one that strains a peacekeeping budget already under pressure.

Beyond peacekeeping training, Australia is also seeking support for PACPOL, a new policing bloc designed to bolster security and sovereignty in the Pacific. Commissioner Barrett emphasized the importance of amplifying the voices of Pacific Island Police Chiefs, who desire a greater say in global discussions concerning their region's security. A decision on the formation of PACPOL is anticipated in October.

The establishment of PACPOL is seen as crucial in a region that currently lacks a dedicated intergovernmental body for policing and law enforcement cooperation. This gap hinders intelligence sharing and efforts to combat transnational organized crime. Concerns about Beijing's growing influence in the Pacific have also been amplified, particularly following a security agreement between China and the Solomon Islands in 2022.

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One of my priorities is to champion the views and role of Pacific Island Police Chiefs, who want a greater say at global forums about security and safety matters that concern their region.