A Tonga Police Women’s Advisory Network conference aiming to promote and shape the future of women in policing, marked the 49th Anniversary of Women in Tonga Police.

With a theme, ‘In shaping our future, we do it once and we do it right', the conference was held on September 5-6.

Mele Ma’afu Halapua one of the eight women pioneers to join Tonga Police and guest of honour said women police are chosen people, who have the talents and the courage to perform their best.

"As women we need to step outside of our comfort zones and we should not be dictated to about what we are capable of doing - just because society says so."

TPWAN Chair, Chief Inspector Sokopeti Faletau said their vision is to be recognized as a respected body valued for its contribution to the improvement of policing in Tonga to bring trust and confidence through its services.

The network fosters the contribution of women in Tonga Police aims to provide timely and effective advice to the Commissioner and senior executive members of Tonga Police, on issues relating to and impacting on women.

The network provides strategies to maximize the contribution of women to policing in Tonga. 

At the conference members were encouraged to speak up on issues that they see impacted their way forward in policing and work together to make a change for the better in their working environment. 

Women first joined Tonga Police on September 8, 1970 with eight pioneers and there are now 130 women out of 479 Tonga Police members (114 police officers and 16 civilians). 

Tonga Police has two women Deputy Police Commissioners (out of three in that rank), with 13 units headed by women, including the National Commander for Serious and Transnational Crime, Director of Training, Human Resource Manager, Legal Officer, Finance Manager, Policy, Criminal Statistic Office, Exhibit, Intel, Media and the Police Communication Centre.