RSIPF and SIPDP enhance Police Operational Safety Capability

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Operational Safety Training (OST) Team, supported by the Solomon Islands Police Development Program (SIPDP), continue to enhance RSIPF’s operational capability through delivering training in Use of Force and Operational Safety to new members, as well as managing annual competency assessments for all operational officers.

Since 19 July 2021, the OST Team has been delivering training to 70 Police Recruits who are scheduled to graduate as Probationary Police Officers on 6 August 2021.

This training, conducted over an intensive program, involves both theory and practical lessons relevant to the application of RSIPF powers and Use of Force pursuant to the Solomon Islands Police Act 2013 and the RSIPF Commissioner’s Order on Use of Force. After familiarising themselves with accoutrements and learning a range of defensive tactics and options, trainees will be required to demonstrate their skills in practical scenarios, replicating potential real life events. This training is vital to the officers and will enable them to execute their responsibilities in maintaining law and order and protecting communities, life and property in Solomon Islands.

RSIPF Recruit, Minah Tonugenga Maitaki, of Rennel and Bellona says, “I enjoy the OST training because it will be help my work as a police officer and it’s very important as dealing with different people and some suspects is not easy. I want to thank the OST Trainers as the skills learnt will improve our performance when we become operational Police. It has been good to have OST Officers from different Provinces and cultures, using their different styles. I feel am ready now to serve my country as a police officer.”

Seven experienced Provincial OST trainers from Makira, Western, Malaita, Guadalcanal and Temotu Provinces came to Honiara to assist with delivery of the training. These trainers will also undertake their annual OST Skills Maintenance Program, ensuring they are up to date with all recent OST developments and competencies. This will allow them to return to their Provinces and deliver consistent and high standard training to all RSIPF officers stationed there, with support from full-time OST staff conducting their annual provincial tours.

Provincial OST Sergeant George Fafale of Makira/Ulawa Province says, “It is a very good idea for Provincial Instructors to come in to Honiara to assist the full time Honiara OST Instructors train RSIPF Recruits. We can give operational advice on incidents in the Provinces and provide Solomon Island cultural knowledge on the way suspects may behave in different locations.

The Skills Maintenance Program is also very important to update Provincial OST Officers so that we can refresh our knowledge and then update officers in each of our Provinces on policy and training. This keeps us current with Police Powers, OST techniques and the Commissioner’s Order on Use of Force.”

The full-time OST Team have supervised all activities and been supported by part-time trainers from the Police Response Team and Learning & Development. SIPDP continues to support RSIPF Use of Force development, delivering new equipment and funding travel for members travelling to and from remote locations.

Commander SIPDP Paul Osborne highlighted that “the AFP remains committed to ongoing support of RSIPF capability development. The training delivered by OST continues to ensure the RSIPF remains at the cutting edge of operational safety techniques and that application is appropriate and consistent across the Solomon Islands.”