Introduction to the Special Issue—Policing in Pacific Island Countries and Territories: Navigating Culture, Context, and Organizational Terrain

• Author: Danielle Watson,Loene M. Howes
• Published date: 01 August 2022
• Date: 01 August 2022
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/10439862221096941
• Subject Matter: Editorial

https://doi.org/10.1177/10439862221096941

Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice

2022, Vol. 38(3) 276 –279

© The Author(s) 2022

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DOI: 10.1177/10439862221096941

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Editorial

Introduction to the Special

Issue—Policing in Pacific

Island Countries and

Territories: Navigating

Culture, Context, and

Organizational Terrain

Danielle Watson1 and Loene M. Howes2

The Pacific Islands region is known for its strength of culture and traditional ways of

knowing and being, including traditional systems of justice. Chiefly systems were

present in many parts of the Pacific long before colonization and have had a continu-

ous presence; they have often coexisted alongside the state-based systems that were

later introduced. In the present, those in the Pacific region are finding ways to adapt

traditional approaches in response to the adoption of international agreements. The

contemporary policing landscape in the Pacific region is also influenced by regional

networks, such as the Pacific Islands Forum, and the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police,

which includes a Women’s Advisory Network, highlighting the need and commitment

to supporting Pacific women in policing. Australia and New Zealand are prominent

partners in the region, with membership of key regional organizations and ongoing

commitments to support Pacific Policing through capacity development programs and

cross-border and regional partnerships aimed at addressing transnational crime.

The aim of this special issue is to showcase research on policing in Pacific Island

countries and territories. Specifically, the issue is concerned with contextual responses

to police service provision, the tensions that affect police–community relations, issues

of police legitimacy, the role of context and organizational culture, and the changing

face of crime and criminality. We have given primary consideration to papers that

report empirical research and reflect on how the policing remit in the Pacific region

1Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia

2University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia

Corresponding Author:

Danielle Watson, School of Justice, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland

4065, Australia.

Email: Danielle.watson@qut.edu.au

1096941CCJXXX10.1177/10439862221096941Journal of Contemporary Criminal JusticeWatson and Howes

research-article2022