PAPUA New Guinea will host the inaugural Pacific Police Band Tattoo in Port Moresby on July 22, bringing together law enforcement bands from across the region for a vibrant celebration of discipline, culture, and tradition.
The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC), with support from the Australian Federal Police (AFP), is organising the historic event, which will take place at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium.
The Tattoo will immediately follow the Pacific Policing Forum, a meeting of regional law enforcement leaders to discuss critical law-and-order challenges across the Pacific.
The event will feature performances from eight Pacific police bands, highlighting the shared values and musical traditions of the region. Bands confirmed to perform include: RPNGC Band; PNG Correctional Services Band; Fiji Police Band; Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Band; Nauru Police Force Band; Royal Tonga Police Band; Samoa Royal Police Band; New Zealand Police Pipe Band; and AFP Pipes and Drums.
Police Commissioner David Manning said the Tattoo was a significant contribution by the RPNGC and its regional partners to commemorate Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary.
“This is a significant year for Papua New Guinea as we celebrate our 50th year of independence,” Mr Manning said.
“Strong police action is important for the lives of everyone in our communities as we work to get criminals off the street, while the Police Band Tattoo provides an opportunity to take a moment to celebrate tradition and music with the public”.
“I thank the Australian Federal Police for all they are doing to bring police bands together from around the Pacific to PNG so that this event can take place.”
AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw said the Tattoo and the Pacific Policing Forum were crucial platforms to strengthen regional law enforcement cooperation under the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI).
“The Pacific has unique policing priorities and we are stronger when we work together to ensure the safety and security of everyone in our communities,” Mr Kershaw said.
“The Pacific Police Band Tattoo provides an opportunity to take a moment to celebrate tradition and music with the public and acknowledge the growing strength of our cooperation.
“In less than a year, the region’s police agencies have worked together to take the PPI from a concept to reality. With all three PPI pillars now in operation, we’re building on our commitment to enhance our collective security and law enforcement cooperation across the Pacific.”
Commissioner Manning stressed the growing importance of regional collaboration in policing and intelligence sharing to address transnational crime.
“Engagement and the integration of police operations at a regional level is increasingly important in the fight against international criminal networks that operate across borders.
“The Pacific Policing Forum in July provides an opportunity to strengthen this law enforcement co-ordination that is promoted through the Pacific Policing Initiative.
“Moving forward, Papua New Guinea is hosting training for regional personnel through the Police Regional Centre of Excellence and this is important work.
“The training is all about policing by the Pacific for the Pacific and this is strongly supported by our partners including the AFP.
“In the Pacific, no matter what job or position a person holds, culture and togetherness is important, so the Tattoo is a fitting conclusion to our forum in July.
“This Tattoo is a proud first for the Pacific and one that will showcase not only our regional identity and talent, but also the strength of our policing relationships at a time when they have never been more important,” he said.
Ahead of the Tattoo, all participating bands will meet in Brisbane, hosted by the AFP at the PPI Development and Coordination Hub in Pinkenba. The Pacific Police Band Tattoo will be broadcast and streamed across the region, offering communities across the Pacific the chance to witness this historic cultural and policing celebration.