ABSTRACT
International policing in the 21st century has reflected the ever-increasing integration of people through globalisation, with crime and disorder frequently crossing multiple jurisdictions and nation states. Australia’s presence and positioning within the Asia-Pacific region has resulted in its contribution of police officers to assist in peacekeeping, capacity building, police reform, and capacity development in the pursuit of aiding its regional neighbours. Drawing on PhD research conducted in 2013–2019 on Australia’s involvement in peacekeeping missions to Timor-Leste and the Solomon Islands, this chapter examines the key cultural, physical, and socioeconomic factors that shaped the mission contexts and considers the reflections provided by police peacekeepers on the challenges and opportunities they faced in this endeavour. The chapter concludes with a look to the future of Australian police peacekeeping towards international engagement and partnership practice.
