AFP Commissioner and Solomon Islands PM tour training centre aimed at enhancing safety in the Pacific

Editor's note:Vision and images from the tour can be accessed via Hightail.

AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele have toured the AFP's Specialist Operational Training Centre in Pinkenba, Queensland.

Commissioner Kershaw said the Specialist Operational Training Centre showcased the capabilities the AFP could provide to Pacific police forces, in addition to the AFP's in-country policing partnerships.

"Solomon Islands is one of Australia's closest neighbours and a vital partner in the Pacific,'' Commissioner Kershaw said.

"The AFP has supported Solomon Islands in the development of a strong, responsive policing capability since 2003, and we will maintain that commitment into the future.

"We are working closely with our Pacific law enforcement partners to target criminals who use the Pacific as a maritime drug highway, or as a base for their illicit activities.

"This is part of ongoing collaboration between the AFP and Pacific law enforcement partners to combat criminal threats, protect our communities and make our region safer."

Prime Minister Manele's delegation included Solomon Islands' Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon Peter Shanel Agovaka, Minister of National Planning and Development Cooperation the Hon Rexon Ramofafia, and Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Commissioner Mostyn Mangau.

The tour highlighted the work underway to fit-out the Specialist Operational Training Centre. The facility will offer operational safety training, public order management, investigations training, close personal protection, canine and forensics capabilities as well as training in surveillance techniques.

The visit followed meetings between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Manele in Canberra, during which leaders discussed Solomon Islands' request that Australia assist in growing and building the capacity of the RSIPF.

Leaders asked Ministers and officials to work together on next steps and to consider the basis on which this request could further strengthen sovereignty and regional stability.

Commissioner Kershaw said the Centre provided a unique environment for law enforcement personnel, including partners who conduct joint training with AFP personnel.

"These facilities will provide the AFP and our partners the opportunity to learn and train at a state-of-the-art training centre, and then take these skills back to their home jurisdictions," Commissioner Kershaw said.

The RSIPF and AFP Policing Partnership Program (RAPPP) continues to support the RSIPF's capabilities and security priorities in the Solomon Islands, including to deliver a standard policing model for Solomon Islands.

The AFP also deploys police officers to Solomons International Assistance Force (SIAF), which was established in response to the civil unrest in November 2021, at the request of the Solomon Islands Government under our Bilateral Security Treaty.

SIAF is a police-led response, supported by military components, which brings together contingents from the AFP, the Australian Defence Force, New Zealand Defence Force, the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and Fiji Police Force. SIAF also works closely with police from Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.

The AFP has continued to provide operational police services in support of the RSIPF to maintain peace and security since the initial SIAF deployment. In the past year SIAF has assisted the RSIPF to successfully deliver the 2023 Pacific Games, as well as Solomon Islands' April 2024 Joint Elections.

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