RSIPF officers join the AFP training exchange program in Canberra

Two officers from the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Strategic Planning and Policy Department took part in a professional exchange program in Canberra, Australia, recently.

The program was supported by the RSIPF and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) through the Policing Partnership Program (RAPPP).

Planning, monitoring, and evaluation are key to ensuring the RSIPF delivers on its strategic plan and priorities. Careful planning sets clear priorities, monitoring tracks progress and addresses challenges, and evaluation shows what works and where to improve.

Together these steps build accountability, transparency, and trust, demonstrating the RSIPF’s commitment to achieving real outcomes for communities across the Solomon Islands.

The RSIPF officers, joined by the RAPPP Program Management Office Team Leader, spent a week learning with the AFP’s Strategy, Design, and Evaluation team. They were also joined by a seconded police officer from Palau. This exchange aimed to strengthen teamwork and learning across the Pacific region.

During the sessions, participants-built skills in planning, program delivery, and evaluation to support RSIPF’s strategies. They also met with members of the Pacific Policing Initiative, the AFP International Gender Team, and the Pacific Community for Law Enforcement Cooperation to learn how Pacific Police can share expertise and strengthen policing across the Pacific.

Sergeant (Sgt) Gorethy Tekunipwalo said the program was very valuable. This exchange gave us new tools and ideas to improve our planning and evaluation work.

“It also let us share directly with AFP colleagues, which will help ensure our partnership continues to meet the needs of the RSIPF and our communities. We now know we can reach out to our new AFP friends and colleagues whenever we need support as we practice these skills,” said Sgt. Tekunipwalo.

This initiative shows the commitment of both the RSIPF and AFP to work together, adapt to new challenges, and support stronger policing for the future of the Solomon Islands.