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Regional Police Support Mission arrives in Bougainville for referendum security operations

A REGIONAL Police Assistance Mission flew into Buka in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville on Friday November 8, 2019 on a Royal New Zealand Air Force Hercules C-130.
The Regional Police Assistance Mission comprising police officers from New Zealand, Australia, Solomon Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu are in the AROB to assist the Bougainville Police Services’ security operations for the Bougainville referendum.
The New Zealand Police is leading the Regional Police Assistance Mission at the request of the Papua New Guinea Government and the Bougainville Government over the referendum period and will be based in Buka, Arawa, and Buin.

Deputy Police Commissioner and Chief of the Bougainville Police Service Francis Tokura said, “This is a Government to Government arrangement through the close ties and long-standing relationship between our neighbouring Pacific Island countries. The New Zealand Police have been working with the Bougainville Police Service since the peace agreement and they will lead the Regional Police Assistance Mission contingent.
“These are unarmed Police officers. They will not carry or use any weapons during the operation. They will mainly play advisory roles and will clearly be identified with the own Police uniforms with armband for this special operation.”
Participating countries which includes New Zealand, Australia, Solomon Islands, Fiji, and Vanuatu were the countries that witnessed the 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement and have accepted to be part of security operation in ensuring a free, fair, and creditable referendum.



Regional Police Support Mission Leader Steven Kose said, “New Zealand has a long-standing relationship with the Bougainville Police Service and is pleased to lead this mission in support of the Bougainville Police Service during this time.”
The New Zealand High Commissioner Philip Taula also flew into Buka on the New Zealand Air Force plane carrying the mission personnel.
“New Zealand is pleased to support the Government of Papua New Guinea and the Autonomous Bougainville Government to enable a peaceful and credible referendum process,” Mr Taula concluded.

(Photographs and captions )

Regional Police Assistance Mission personnel with Superintendent Godwin Dukaduka (standing front, 5th from left) with New Zealand Police Team Leader Steven Kose (Standing front 6th from left) together with mission personnel and Bougainville Police officers at the Buka airport.

Royal New Zealand Air Force Hercules C-130 which transported the Bougainville Referendum Regional Police Assistance Mission personnel into Buka last week.

Press release

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