Eight female officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) recently travelled to Australia for the Australasian Council of Women (ACWAP) Professional Development Seminar and Excellence in Policing Awards recently.
ACWAP is a member-based organisation supporting women across Australia, New Zealand, and the Central Indo-Pacific region.
The ACWAP seminar is an annual event where police from the region have the opportunity to collaborate on contemporary challenges for women in policing. Participants learn from keynote speakers and share their knowledge and experience with police officers from across the region.
The ACWAP awards for excellence in policing are an opportunity to publicly acknowledge and reward the achievements of women and men who are contributing to improving policing and law enforcement and ensuring services are enhanced for women in our communities.
Commissioner Mangau is a strong advocate for women in policing and approved the RSIPF-AFP Policing Partnership Program (RAPPP) to support members of the RSIPF to attend the seminar and excellence in policing awards.
Assistant Commissioner (AC) Ms. Patricia Leta was the senior RSIPF representative at the seminar and stated, “I just want to thank RAPPP for funding our trip to attend the conference. It is a great opportunity to hear encouraging stories from other female leaders on their leadership journey. It inspires us to never give up no matter what comes our way.”
RSIPF Deputy Director Inspector Rose Nala said ACWAP serves as a crucial platform for law enforcement professionals to connect, share experiences, and uplift the achievements of women in our field.
Deputy Director Nala said it’s also vital to acknowledge the supportive male allies who help create an inclusive culture. I encourage women seeking a fulfilling career to consider the RSIPF, where they can excel both as leaders and in balancing family life.
While in Australia for the awards, the RSIPF officers visited the AFP training facilities in Pinkenba. The training facility is an initiative of the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police and was developed to strengthen regional peace and security and to support each other in times of need.
Following the ACWAP seminar and the tour of Pinkenba, RSIPF Woman Constable Jacinta Keuni noted, “As this space evolves into a training centre for the Pacific, it will empower us to acquire essential knowledge and advance our skills. Together, we are shaping a brighter future, fuelled by inspiration and collaboration.”
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