RAPPP supports delivery of Mental Health training to RSIPF Frontline

Doctors at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) delivered a series of mental health workshops to Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) officers in February 2025.

Officers from the Honiara City Police (HCP) Frontline and Watch House attended the five mental health workshops. They include officers from the Central Watch House, Naha, White River and Central Police Station.

The workshops aim to upskill RSIPF officers’ strategies in identifying mental health issues and to effectively and safely engage with people facing mental health challenges in the community.

The RSIPF and Australian Federal Police (AFP) joint program, the RSIPF & AFP Policing Partnership Program (RAPPP), assisted RSIPF to coordinate and host the NRH specialists during delivery of the workshops.

Guest presenters from the NRH Mental Health Team included Doctor Rex Maukera, Doctor Laddington Rahe and Registered Nurse Edward Pojiala.

Doctor Maukera said the training reinforced the important working relationship between the NRH Mental Health Team and the RSIPF.

HCP Supervising Operations Manager, Inspector Mark Buga, said the workshop is important for Frontline Officers as they are the ones who usually called upon to attend to mentally ill persons’ reports.

“Our frontline officers need to be well equipped with skills to effectively and safely engage with people facing mental health challenges,” Inspector Buga said.

RSIPF Central Watch House Officer-in-Charge, Sergeant Paul Malefoasi, said since officers are not trained for such job or task, it is important for RSIPF Frontline and Watch House officers to have basic mental health training.

Inspector Buga, Sergeant Paul Malefoasi, Sergeant Ngelea and RAPPP Advisor Bill Tooth, were instrumental in leading the planning and development of the NRH delivery of this training.

RAPPP’s support to this important training demonstrates its commitment to enhancing RSIPF Frontline and Watch House capabilities and providing officers the skills to do their job safely in serving their community.