Policing and Security Assistance to Vanuatu to Increase

New Zealand is ready to increase policing and security assistance to Vanuatu. Jonathan Schwas, the New Zealand High Commissioner to Vanuatu said the New Zealand government will equip the Vanuatu Police Force (VPF) with the expertise to address the rising problem of crime in the island. He said the initiative, they will be providing US$4.7 million in policing support. This is inclusive of deployment of three officers.

Schwas said three officers will be flying from New Zealand to help the VPF in specialist areas. "These officers will be working closely with their local counterparts to support the office of Commander North, Commander South and VPF headquarters to provide expertise in areas as an investigation." Schwas said the officers will be working with the law enforcement officers on the policing method of preventing crime before it happens. He added that they will be reaching out to communities in an effort to tackle crime.

New Zealand and Vanuatu have been in partnership in the law enforcement and justice sectors for quite some time. Commissioner Schwas said they are working towards extending the cooperation with additional support to VPF, significantly stepping-up their defence services.