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New Transnational Crime Unit Office open

Deputy Secretary Penny Williams and Policy Commissioner Matthew Varley receive a briefing at the AOLA Base RSIPF Maritime Division

THE Australian Federal Police and Australian Department of Defence continues to support the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF).

On Wednesday, Deputy Secretary DFAT, Mrs Penny Williams, along with Commander Amanda Kates (AFP) and Acting Assistant Secretary Pacific and Timor Leste (AASPACTL) Mrs Belinda McNamara formally opened the new RSIPF Transnational Crime Unit Office at AOLA Base RSIPF Maritime Division.

The RSIPF Commissioner Matthew Varley, PPF Commander John Tanti and the Australian High Commissioner HE Roderick Brazier attended the event.

Locating the TCU in the RSIPF Maritime Division base enhances the opportunity of a timely exchange of intelligence to operational elements of the RSIPF operated patrol boat capability in the Solomon Islands.

“I’d like to thank the AFP and Defence for providing funding and support to this project” Commissioner Matthew Varley said.

“It’s comforting to know that AFP and the Australian Defence Force are able to support the RSIPF in this way” he said.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Deputy Secretary Penny Williams opens the RSIPF Transnational Crime Unit at the AOLA Base RSIPF Maritime Division

DEPSEC Penny Williams, who is currently in Honiara as a part of a bilateral Security Dialogue held between Solomon Islands and Australia, added “Although RAMSI will come to a close and the transition occur in July, approximately 40 AFP officers will remain here in the Solomon Islands to support the transition”.

Under the Defence Cooperation Programme (DCP), the Australian Government provides assistance with maritime surveillance to eleven countries across the Pacific. The centrepiece of this is the Pacific Patrol Boat Programme.

In Solomon Islands the DCP provides fuel and rations funding to support a majority of surveillance operations conducted by RSIPV Auki and Lata. DCP also supports infrastructure funding to the RSIPF Maritime Division and Explosive Ordnance Unit at Hells Point. Australia provides training opportunities for Maritime Division officers and provides two Australian Defence Force Maritime Advisors that live in Honiara full time.

–AHC PRESS

The stairwell from AOLA Base RSIPF Maritime Division

The view from the bridge aboard the Patrol Boat Auki



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