RSIPF officers completed child and vulnerable witness interviewing training program

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) had an opportunity to attend and complete a training that covers how to interview children and vulnerable witnesses.

The weeklong training, which is supported by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) through the RSIPF & AFP Policing Partnership Program (RAPPP), concluded in Honiara recently.

The training is important as it equipped RSIPF investigators with skills and knowledge to obtain information from children and vulnerable witnesses ensuring that their evidence is captured entirely and in their own words.

During the course of the training, participating officers had the chance to receive presentations from the Director of Public Prosecutions, People with Disabilities Association of Solomon Islands (PDASI) and Seif Ples. Participating RSIPF officers also visited Woodford International and Bethesda School as part of the training.

The AFP also gifted the RSIPF with specialist equipment for audio and visual recording of interviews, through a Pacific Community for Law Enforcement Cooperation (PCLEC) grant. PCLEC supports capability development in law enforcement priority areas that are directed by the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police (PICP).

Acknowledging the gift, Director of the National Criminal Investigations Division (NCID), Acting Superintendent Robert Soaki said video recorded evidence is strong as it can records body language, gestures and an unfiltered version of events as told by the victim.

This specialist equipment is now available for RSIPF investigators across Honiara to use.
“The equipment and training will help the RSIPF to keep up to date with emerging legislation and enhanced ways of presenting evidence in court and supporting improved investigation methods,” Acting Superintendent Soaki said.

RSIPF Assistant Commissioner for Crime & Intel, Patricia Leta, said their officers who attended the training are entrusted to ensure communities are safe from serious crimes and to protect communities and their vulnerable members.

She said the training their investigators completed will expand on the fundamental victim and witness statement taking training that was delivered during the RSIPF Basic investigators course and Detective Qualifying course.

The interviewing children and vulnerable witnesses training introduced specialised interviewing techniques designed for children and vulnerable witnesses. It also equipped RSIPF investigators with a heightened awareness of trauma-informed policing approaches to support victims of crime, along with strategies for investigator self-care.

“The latest training will strengthen the RSIPF’s organisational capability and responsiveness to crime as outlined in the RSIPF Strategic Directions 2021- 2025,” Assistant Commissioner Leta said.