RSIPF receives new computer lab

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) today (8 April 2021) received a new computer lab with 13 computers and modern video conferencing facilities located at the Police Academy at the Rove Police Headquarters in Honiara.

This is the second computer lab set up at the Police Academy through assistance from Cyper Safety Pasifika at a cost of $160,000.00 following a request from the Solomon Islands Police Development Program (SIPDP). SIPDP funded the first computer lab with 35 computers.
Commander of SIPDP Paul Osborne handed over the second computer lab to the RSIPF Assistant Commissioner (AC) Corporate Support Ian Bara during a brief ceremony at the Rove Police Headquarters today.

“Due to the global spread of COVID 19 and the closure of international borders since March 2020, the RSIPF has seen an increase in virtual training delivery from Australia. With the international border closures likely to be in place for the foreseeable future, the virtual training environment will continue,” says AC Bara.

“The Police Academy at Rove already has a larger computer lab, comprising 35 computers which were funded by SIPDP and services large student groups, including recruit training programs.”

“However, with the increased need to have internet video conferencing capability to receive virtually delivered training, the RSIPF has already outgrown that facility, due to the number of virtual courses on offer,” says AC Bara.

He adds, “Providing virtual training is now considered to be the new normal, until international borders fully open.”

“I want to acknowledge the continuous support rendered to RSIPF by SIPDP in making sure we put up to the standard required in our world and make it easy and efficient to communicate with overseas countries due to this current pandemic,” says AC Bara.

SIPDP Commander Osborne explains, “The new computers come with video conferencing capability, through the use of web cameras. This project could not have been possible without the funding support of Cyber Safety Pasifika following a request from SIPDP.”

“The new facility will provide support and flexibility towards the needs of RSIPF training, including courses virtually delivered by Cyber Safety Pasifika, the Australian Institute of Police Management (AIPM), the Pacific Faculty for Policing (PFP) and for important meetings such as the Pacific Community for Law Enforcement Cooperation (PCLEC),” says Commander Osborne.

Cyber Safety Pasifika (CSP) is an Australian Federal Police (AFP) led program and is aimed at increasing cyber safety awareness and education of vulnerable communities in the Pacific region.