Fifteen Leaders Graduate from the Pacific Executive Leadership Program, Strengthening Regional Policing Leadership

Fifteen senior police leaders from Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Fiji, FSM, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Papua New Guinea gathered at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Melbourne to celebrate a milestone achievement, their graduation from the Pacific Executive Leadership Program (PELP).

The five-month journey, delivered through a partnership between the Pacific Faculty of Policing, the Australian Institute of Police Management (AIPM) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP), was far more than a professional development course. It was a transformative and immersive leadership experience designed to prepare the Pacific’s emerging leaders for the complex and evolving challenges facing law enforcement.

Among the distinguished graduates was Detective Superintendent Lefaoalii Vaaufiao Aldora Mamaia of the Samoa Police, Prisons and Corrections Service (SPPCS). Having completed all three phases of the program, she stood proudly as a testament to resilience, humility, cultural strength and unwavering service. Throughout the program she strengthened her strategic thinking, sharpened her ethical leadership and refined her ability to engage across sectors, skills essential for the senior leadership roles she would continue to carry when she returned home.

A Journey Across Three Transformative Phases:

Phase 1 — Foundations of Leadership

Phase 1 at AIPM Manly grounded participants in the essential foundations of leadership through deep reflection and values-based learning. They explored the difference between technical and adaptive challenges, examined real workplace issues and developed tools to build trust, navigate change and influence culture. The phase introduced key concepts such as adaptive and technical leadership, systems thinking, navigating complexity and ambiguity, stakeholder influence and engagement, resilience in dynamic environments and reflective practice for leadership growth, all of which equipped participants with the mindset required to lead with clarity, purpose and confidence.

Phase 2 — Leadership in Action

Phase 2 brought leadership theory into practice. A visit to the NSW Marine Area Command provided valuable insights into maritime enforcement and multi-agency coordination, while sessions in crisis communication, event security and leadership storytelling pushed participants to think critically under pressure. The “Avalanche” disaster simulation became a defining moment, testing not only decision-making but teamwork and courage as leaders.

Phase 3 — Strategic Foresight and Regional Priorities

Phase 3 challenged participants to elevate their leadership capability by encouraging them to think strategically, act with influence and lead for public value across boundaries. This phase deepened their understanding of regional priorities while strengthening the mindset and behaviour needed to guide complex systems, shape organizational direction and contribute meaningfully to the wider Pacific policing landscape. Participants explored megatrends, the impact of climate change, technological advancements and emerging cyber tools such as AI (Artificial Intelligence) while engaging with commissioners, ANZPAA experts and regional security leaders. Discussions on the BOE Declaration and the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy helped ground their leadership purpose firmly in the shared future of the Pacific continent.

A Moment of Pride for the Pacific:

Detective Superintendent Mamaia’s graduation is a proud moment for SPPCS and Samoa. Her achievement reflected the strength of Pacific women in policing, the power of continuous learning and the shared commitment to a safer, more resilient region.

As these 15 leaders returned home, they carried more than certificates; they carried renewed purpose, deeper regional bonds and a collective promise to lead with integrity, courage and dedication to a safer Blue Pacific.