RSIPF Completes Intensive Three-Week Training With Australian Defence Force

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has wrapped up three weeks of intensive training with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) 1^st Division and 2^nd Cavalry under Exercise Coastwatchers.

Exercise Coastwatchers provides targeted training to the RSIPF drawing from the specialised skillset and experience of 1^st Division and 2^nd Calvary personnel.

It complements training provided by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) under the RSIPF-AFP Policing Partnership Program (RAPPP) and is delivered via three exercise serials each year.

Working side by side with the ADF, members of the RSIPF completed courses in Advanced Small Boat Operator, Advanced Border Surveillance and Extended Remote Care across Honiara, Gizo, Nuhanaha Island and Shortland Islands to enhance their capacity in border surveillance, small boats handling and logistics.

Commissioner RSIPF Mostyn Mangau said the growing expertise and professionalism of the RSIPF over successive serials of Exercise Coastwatchers was encouraging to see.

“Building on the foundational training from past Exercise Coastwatchers serials, next year, we will look to test the RSIPF with specialised training and more complex scenarios,” said Comissioner Mangau.

Australian High Commissioner, Rod Hilton, said the relationship between the ADF and RSIPF was an essential component of the Solomon Islands-Australia partnership.

“A lot of work goes into these training exercises to make sure that they are tailored to the evolving requirements and emerging capabilities of the RSIPF,” said High Commissioner Hilton.

“Exercise Coastwatchers is a fantastic example of our partnership in action.”

Exercise Coastwatchers is the premier bilateral training exercise between Defence and the RSIPF. It includes training across border surveillance, boats handling and maintenance, radio communications, orders and planning, logistics, and other key RSIPF training priorities.

Since 2021, the ADF has trained more than 1200 RSIPF, Correctional Services, Customs & Immigration, National Disaster Management Office officers under Exercise Coastwatchers.