Four Samoa Police Service officers are among a major regional policing deployment providing security for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting currently underway in Koror, Palau.
The Samoan contingent, comprising three male officers and one female officer, is serving with the Pacific Police Support Group, a multinational force established to provide Pacific-led policing support during major events and emergencies across the region.
Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo, who is leading Samoa’s delegation to the Forum, met with the Samoan officers in Palau and acknowledged their contribution to the security operation.
The Government of Samoa said their deployment reflected Samoa’s commitment to regional cooperation and solidarity, with officers from across the Pacific working together to protect delegations attending one of the region’s most important political gatherings.
Around 120 Pacific police officers have been deployed to Palau through the Pacific Police Support Group, making it the largest deployment undertaken under the Pacific Policing Initiative to date. Australia, which financially supports the initiative, has also provided Palau with security vehicles, event security planning, police uniforms and cybersecurity assistance for the meeting.
The scale of the deployment reflects the demands placed on Palau while hosting hundreds of officials, delegates and international visitors. President Surangel Whipps Jr authorised visiting Pacific law-enforcement personnel to serve as police officers in Palau for the duration of the meeting, allowing them to support the country’s Bureau of Public Safety.
The Pacific Police Support Group has been developed as part of a broader effort to strengthen the ability of Pacific countries to respond collectively to security challenges.
Officers participating in the programme receive specialist training at the Pinkenba Hub in Brisbane in areas including public-order management, search and rescue coordination, major-event planning and close personal protection. The programme is designed so trained Pacific officers can deploy together when a country requires additional policing capacity for a major event, natural disaster or other emergency.
The Palau operation follows an earlier PPSG deployment supporting security during the 2025 Pacific Mini Games and represents a significant expansion of the regional policing model.
The 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting is being hosted in Koror from 30 August to 4 September under Palau’s theme, “B.E.L.A.U. – Building Economies: Life. Action. Unity.” Leaders and representatives from across the region are considering issues including economic resilience, climate change, ocean governance, regional security and the future direction of Pacific cooperation.
Samoa is being represented at the meeting by a delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Mulipola, with the Government saying its participation is focused on strengthening Pacific unity, climate resilience, sustainable development, economic growth, ocean and fisheries governance and regional security cooperation.
The Government praised the Samoan officers for their professionalism and service, saying their participation demonstrated Samoa’s continuing contribution to regional security and the wider Pacific family.
This article is based on an official release from the Government of Samoa’s Press and Communication Division, with additional reporting and background information from the Pacific Islands Forum, regional media and official information on the Pacific Police Support Group.
