RSIPF boost officers in specialist units

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) National Response Department (NRD) and Fire & Rescue has graduated 86 officers as specialist operators today (13 November 2020) at the Rove Police Headquarters in Honiara.
The specialist operators who graduated included:
• 20 Close Personal Protection (CPP) officers - 17 male and three female;
• 35 Police Response Team (PRT) officers - 33 male and two female;
• 17 Fire and Rescue officers - 12 male and five female officers; and
• Eight Operational Safety Tactical (OST) officers were upgraded to PRT - seven male and one female; and
• Six Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officers – four male and two female officers.

Assistant Commissioner (AC) National Operations Evelyn Thugea says, “It is indeed another milestone for RSIPF as this training is one of the first run by our own local RSIPF NRD/OST instructors after RAMSI’s exit in 2017. This training has enabled the NRD and Fire and Rescue Department to have additional trained personnel who are ready to join the specialist units to deliver the required policing services to our communities.”

“This program is important as we increase the current manpower capability and strength within various units in the short term to assist with the current COVID-19 pandemic operations. In the long term, this is part of the RSIPF’s preparations for the 2023 Pacific Games (SPG).”

AC Thugea explains, “The specialist trainings were designed to give police constables a high level of operational knowledge, discipline, professionalism and integrity. The knowledge and specialist skills gained during the eight weeks of training will assist the officers to meet operational requirements carrying out mandated duties.”

“The training enabled the officers to understand why certain procedures and processes are in place for the improvement of the services they are expected to deliver. NRD and the Fire and Rescue Services are highly specialised departments with significant consequences when procedures are not followed. Responding to reports requires patience and understanding. The way the officers act, speak and conduct themselves will impact on the output of the RSIPF. That is why the training is very important.”

AC Thugea reiterates, “A police force with morals and discipline unites a nation but a police force without morals and discipline divides a nation. Respect yourself, respect your superiors, respect your uniform, respect our citizens and above all have reverence for God.

“The success of the RSIPF relies on each of us setting an example to our fellow officers and the community who look for our leadership. If there are three important things that we need to be reminded of

as a disciplined force, they would be DISCIPLINE, DISCIPLINE and DISCIPLINE,” AC Thugea emphasises.

Graduating officer Police Constable (PC) George Obea says, “This course has equipped us with new skills for our policing duties especially in the NRD and the fire working environment. I believe the class lessons and field scenarios have been equally helpful and very interesting.”

“During the training learned to work as a team. It was a time in our life that cannot be replicated, a time that is special and unique for us to learn about ourselves and take advice from our instructors who have already gone through the training and experiences,” says PC Obea.