12 police officers graduate on IMAS level 1 in Honiara

Twelve law enforcement officers, including four from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) and one from the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC), successfully completed their training and graduated from the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) Level 1 course at Hells Point in Honiara, Solomon Islands, on Thursday, 28 March 2024.

The IMAS Level 1 training is a fundamental certification for mine action professionals, focusing on basic mine awareness, mine risk education, and mine detection using manual mine detection equipment. The course aims to equip participants with essential skills and knowledge to identify and report potential mine hazards and take appropriate safety measures to mitigate risks.

The graduation ceremony was held at the Hells Point Training Centre, where the officers received their certificates from representatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Solomon Islands Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services. The training was facilitated by the UNDP and the Solomon Islands Mine Action Centre (SIMAC), with financial support from the European Union and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The graduates will now be able to contribute to mine action efforts in their respective organizations and help ensure the safety of their communities by identifying and reporting potential mine hazards. The successful completion of this training is a significant step towards enhancing the capacity of Solomon Islands' law enforcement agencies to address the threat posed by unexploded ordnance and landmines, which are remnants of past conflicts and pose a risk to civilians, particularly in rural areas.

The Solomon Islands, like many countries, has faced challenges in addressing the issue of unexploded ordnance and landmines, which can cause injuries, fatalities, and hinder socio-economic development. The training provided to these officers is part of ongoing efforts to build capacity and promote a safer and more secure environment for the people of Solomon Islands.

The graduates' achievement is a testament to their dedication and commitment to ensuring the safety and security of their communities, and they are expected to share their newfound knowledge and skills with their colleagues to further strengthen their organizations' mine action capabilities. The training also underscores the importance of international cooperation and partnerships in addressing common challenges, such as the threat posed by unexploded ordnance and landmines, and the role of organizations like the UNDP and the European Union in supporting capacity-building initiatives in developing countries.