Vanuatu Police Force

The donation enhances the partnership between the AFP and the Vanuatu Police Force, bolstering law enforcement capabilities and supporting Vanuatu's commitment to peacekeeping efforts.

The event commenced with the official handover of a computer system, CID suits and the UN mission uniform by the AFP Deputy Commissioner Lesa Gale to the Vanuatu Police Commissioner, Colonel Robsen Iavro.

The Commissioner of Police later handed over the UN Mission uniform and deployment kits to the 10 selected candidates for the upcoming UN peacekeeping mission.

The Malvatumauri Nakamal is a custom parliament for all Vanuatu's chiefs.

Vanuatu's Police Commissioner Robson Iavro said their forensics counterparts from Australia will assist the Vanuatu Police Force to find the cause of the blaze at the Malvatumauri Nakamal in the capital Port Vila.

RNZ Pacific correspondent Hilaire Bule said the cost of the Nakamal was more than 100 million Vatu - about $US850,000 - and was co-financed by the Vanuatu and Australian governments.

Vanuatu Police said, “The MOU will continue to empower and build both agencies to collaborate further and assist each other in jointly combatting transnational crime and organized crime that are impacting Vanuatu, Australia and the Pacific region.”

Eight of the new recruits are females.

Acting High Commissioner of Australia, Clemency Oliphant congratulated the new officers and acknowledged Australia’s support of the recruitment programme.

“Vanuatu and Australia and neighbors, and friends. We are proud of the strong partnership based on the important value and priority for a safe Vanuatu and the Pacific.”

 “Serve community with fairness, integrity and respect,” she stressed.

Vanuatu Police said the police training has boosted the force with the inclusion of new officers.

The signing was officiated by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs, Ishmael Kalsakau and Commissioner of Police, Robson Iavro, in the presence of the High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Sarah deZoeten, officials from Australian High Commission and officers from VPF.

The PIMS is a fundamental component of police operations, used by the entire Force, for the recording of incidents, managing investigations, recording criminal history and operational activities.

The force currently has about 500 personnel.

But the Daily Post reports that the government intends for 1,000 extra personnel by 2023.

They would be recruited into the general police force, as well as the Vanuatu Mobile Force paramilitary and maritime wings.

The recruitment drive is coinciding with a major extension of the Vanuatu Mobile Force's barracks in Port Vila and Luganville.

An Australian construction company, Icon, has been contracted by Vanuatu for the extension work, and is looking to recruit arund 400 local workers for the project.

Commissioner Iavro and President Pastor Obed Moses Tallis inspected a guard of honour by officers of Vanuatu Police and Vanuatu Mobile Force as part of the ceremony.

This was followed by the swearing of oath of office and handing over of the sword to Iavro.

The new Police Commissioner was formerly the Director of the Police Training College and Commander of VMF.

Iavro is a graduate from the New Zealand Army Officer Cadet School in the 1990s.

The training is on how to set up a rapid deployment antenna in case the original antenna is down during a cyclone.

Officers at Sola Police Station have been trained to set up the antenna and established a quick communication with Vansec house.

Now the officers can confidently operate the new HF radio system and carry out emergency contact on radios during a cyclone or any other disaster.

The officers were also taken through Basic first Aid training conducted by the ADF personnel.

Funding was made available through the Vanuatu Australian and Jastis Programme.

Vanuatu Police said the refurbishment reflects the community expectations and the ever-changing environment in which the VPF are seen as committed and responsive to instilling trust and confidence to the community in which they serve.

The Professional Standards Unit (PSU) is made up of a special group of Police Officers who report directly to the Commissioner of Police on matters of discipline and misconduct by members of the Police Force or as directed by the Commissioner of Police.

Commander Vanuatu Australian Policing and Justice Programme Detective Superintendent Melissa Northam presented the items on behalf of Cyber Safety Pasifika.

Detective Supt Northam acknowledged the Vanuatu Police Force’s participation in the CSP and assured the VPF of future support.

She also announced the first cyber security scholarship was given to Vanuatu to enhance the Human Resource of cyber safety with its knowledge on dealing with cyber in Vanuatu.