RSIPF and NZ Police deliver a 5-step mindset training program in Malaita Province

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Learning and Development Department (LDD) officer, along with New Zealand Police officers attached to the Solomon Island Policing Support Programme (SIPSP), recently travelled to Auki to deliver Mindset and Crime Prevention training to officers in Malaita province.

Auki-based Provincial Training Officer (PTO), Sergeant (Sgt) Simon Tofuola, co-delivered the training program with the LDD officer with the assistance of the SIPSP officers.

Seventeen officers travelled from different police stations in Malaita to attend the two-day training, representing different ranks and specialist fields.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Malaita Province, Chief Superintendent Tex Tafoa, officiated the training.

PPC Tafoa reinforced to his staff the importance of the mindset and crime prevention training, particularly in the sphere of how they approached family violence, which is one of the five drivers of crime.

The mindset training challenged the officers to consider the mode of thinking that they bring to work daily and to understand the ‘what, why, and how’ of the Crime Prevention Strategy and how they contribute to achieving organizational goals.

Several group discussions and presentations over the course of the training allowed for shared experiences, knowledge, and ideas in a safe and supportive forum. Understanding the RSIPF strategy, organizational values—how they sit alongside culture, leadership attributes, building and supporting capability, and managing performance—underpinned the learning, giving the officers a greater sense of purpose, motivation, and direction to align them with the RSIPF strategic plan.

The training was well received and brought together officers who often work in locations isolated from others. It reinforced the understanding that crime is a community issue and therefore fostered good working relationships with local stakeholders who have a significant role in the development of sustainable solutions, which is of prime importance.

Cognisant of the unique cultures within the Solomon Islands, the New Zealand Police, working alongside NCPD and L&D, have developed relevant training to assist the RSIPF in engaging their people in a format that encourages understanding of purpose together with a collective and positive mindset that will empower and advance the professionalism of the RSIPF.