RSIPF Forensics officers return after APEC

Forensics officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) have returned to Honiara after being deployed to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG) for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting from 5 to 20 November 2018.

The team, which included a female and two male officers, travelled to Port Moresby a week before the meeting to join the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC). They were accompanied by an Australian Federal Police Forensics Advisor under the Solomon Islands Police Development Program.

Team Leader Staff Sergeant (SSgt) George Diudi says, “It was such a great opportunity and experience for the RSIPF Forensics Unit. This is the first time the RSIPF Forensics Unit has been deployed to assist another police organisation in a security operation like at APEC apart from training programs.”

He adds: “It was such a privilege for the RSIPF Forensics officers and the RPNGC to establish such a professional exchange of expertise between PNG and Solomon Islands.”

SSgt Diudi says, “It was really great that we were able to perform our duties to the required standard and we are looking forward to continuing to work closely with our colleague officers in PNG and capitalise on the partnership established.”

He adds: “As members of the APEC Joint Security Task Force we were tasked to join resources with the RPNGC Forensics officers. During the stay, the team was also asked to demonstrate the use of ACESO (The RSIPF Telephones Data Capturing Device).”

The call to support the RPNGC was initially made by the Commissioner of RPNGC after he visited Honiara earlier this year and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the RSIPF.