The US government says its critical Police peacekeepers are fully trained and qualified for overseas missions to perform their mandated duties.
This comes after the US government together with the Fiji Police force last week signed an agreement to assist police peacekeeper’s trained for UN peacekeeping missions.
US Charge d’Affaires Michael Goldman says the newly formed police unit will be trained by the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law enforcement affairs.
“We know based on data that support from trained and dedicated leaders, uniformed personnel and staff makes peacekeeping more effective. We look forward to our partnership with the republic of Fiji to build and strengthen and institutionalize the capabilities of the Fijian police to deploy well led, well qualified and well trained police who can carry out their tasks and sustain themselves admirably in missions in the best traditions of Fiji.”
Around 120 to 150 police peace keepers will be trained to enhance Fiji’s ability deliver high-quality police peacekeepers to UN and regional missions.
Goldman says trainers will also provide technical advice to Fiji’s ability to effectively deploy police peacekeepers and develop pre-deployment training, schedules, logistics, tactics, command and administration.
Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho says this is the first time ever a contingent from the Force will be deployed as peacekeepers to overseas missions as previously only individual officers were deployed as observers.
He adds the time frame for deployment depends on the requirements by the UN adding they will visit the country soon to conduct a review in training and the capabilities they have at present.
