Bomana academy to get Kiwi boost as NZ police chief visits PNG

A SENIOR New Zealand police officer will soon be deployed to the Bomana National Centre of Excellence following a strategic visit to PNG by Kiwi Police Commissioner Richard Chambers last week.

 Bomana academy to get Kiwi boost as NZ police chief visits PNG/Photo supplied

Hosted by the New Zealand High Commission, Commissioner Chambers used his time in Port Moresby to meet with RPNGC Commissioner David Manning and review the security partnership between the two countries. The incoming New Zealand Senior Sergeant will be tasked with providing hands-on training advice and support at the Bomana academy. Both commissioners also put their heads together over transnational security issues, agreeing that the region needs to utilize the Pacific Policing Initiative and the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police network to stay ahead of crime trends.

Chambers then travelled out to the islands, landing in Buka to get an update on the Kirapim Strongpela Bougainville Police Servis program, which has seen New Zealand police officers stationed in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville for nearly three decades.

After being honored with a formal police parade, Commissioner Chambers went straight into talks with ABG Police Minister Willie Masiu and RPNGC Deputy Commissioner and BPS Chief of Police Francis Tokura. He rounded off his trip by meeting with mothers and village leaders, taking on board their feedback regarding how New Zealand’s long-term security assistance has impacted grassroots development and peace in the province.