Kiribati Marks Inaugural Police National Day with Full Honors and International Support

Police squad during rehearsal

Kiribati celebrated its first-ever Police National Day last Friday, June 23, with a grand parade and formal ceremony at the Kiribati Police Headquarters in Betio, South Tarawa—now officially a national public holiday.

The event paid tribute to the dedicated service of the Kiribati Police Service (KPS) and honored officers who have died in the line of duty, drawing guests including President Taneti Maamau, First Lady Teiraeng Maamau, and regional dignitaries.

In a show of Pacific unity, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) stood proudly alongside KPS officers, having worked closely with them to develop ceremonial protocols, including parade drills, catafalque party formation, and funeral procedures.

The AFP also helped produce a new drill manual to support the ongoing development of KPS ceremonial skills.

With over 120,000 people spread across 33 islands, Kiribati now formally recognizes the KPS’s vital role in national peace and order.