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The AFP has hosted 21 police officers from the Asia-Pacific region who completed a pre-deployment training course for United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions.

The officers from Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, Vietnam and Canada completed two-weeks of training at the Australian Institute of Police Management in Sydney.

It was the first time the UN Training and Certification Course for the new Specialised Training Materials for UN Police had been held in Australia.

Officers were trained by UN members in all aspects of policing for UN peace operations including use of force and firearms, arrest and detention, human rights and administration.

The training program followed a pledge by the Australian Government and AFP in 2021 to support the UN rollout in its police training architecture program in the Asia-Pacific region

The program is designed to strengthen the capacity of the region to deliver UN required pre-deployment training for police nominated to join UN Peace Operations.

AFP Commander Pacific Melinda Phelan said the training was one piece of a pathway to prepare Asia-Pacific police members for deployment to UN Missions.

“The AFP’s commitment to the delivery of this program is a critical component of our efforts to strengthen regional safety and security through close engagement and support offered to our police partners,” Commander Phelan said.

“By supporting the delivery of this essential program, we are directly assisting our police partners achieve their UN deployment aspirations which we understand is of great value to the respective organisations and governments.”

Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) Inspector Trueesar Tewi said she wanted to take part in the course to assist countries that are fighting for peace.

“We did not have to fight for peace in Papua New Guinea so I wanted to undertake this training to give back and help those countries with their fight for freedom,” Inspector Tewi said.

“I am looking forward to taking this training course back home where I know RPNGC officers will be happy to stand up for the opportunity for Papua New Guinea to branch out further into the Pacific and UN Peacekeeping operations.”