Despite ongoing staff shortages, the Cook Islands Police Service remains committed to upskilling its officers, with a two-week training programme underway earlier this week.

The training, which focuses on basic policing, has 11 officers participating, including members of the Frontline Police.

It is being delivered by senior sergeants Terry Laws and Daniel Macintosh from the New Zealand Police, who have previously assisted in police training in the Cook Islands.

During the opening of the training, Acting Police Commissioner Aka Matapo urged officers to strengthen their commitment to the core values of the Police Service and acknowledged the continued support from the visiting New Zealand trainers under the Pacific Islands Prevention Programme (PIPP).

The initiative follows last September’s Core Training of Pacific Police (CTOPP) course, which was also facilitated by Laws and Macintosh.

The ongoing collaboration between the Cook Islands Police and New Zealand Police aims to improve law enforcement standards and ensure officers are equipped with essential skills.

However, the training comes at a time when the police force is facing a well-documented staff shortage.

Earlier this year, this newspaper reported that the shortage had put added pressure on frontline officers, who often work extended shifts to ensure community safety.

The need for ongoing training has been emphasised as a way to ensure officers remain prepared, even with limited numbers.

In addition to the CTOPP course, past training initiatives have included community policing workshops, investigative training and specialised programmes in areas such as domestic violence response and traffic enforcement.

• TM/Police Media