The crew of Te Kukupa II are nearing the end of a five-week training programme in Australia in advance of a further month-long schedule that will prepare them to take delivery of the Police Patrol Boat.

While the maintenance programme for Te Kukupa II is being completed in Cairns, the Maritime Police staff has been at the Australian Maritime College at the University of Tasmania, in Launceston, undergoing refresher training in maritime skills, sea survival, and emergency technicalities. The command team has also been familiarized with new navigational equipment, installed on TEKII.

The crew will be moving on to Cairns where a final training assessment will be overseen by the Royal Australian Naval Sea Training Group, before final prep work for the voyage home.

Meanwhile, training in core policing got underway this week with a further 13 staff taking part in the two-week course at the Cook Islands Police Headquarters in Rarotonga. The Core Training for Pacific Police (CTOPP) has been an ongoing programme since last year, supported by the NZ Pacific Islands Police Programme (PIPP). On hand to support the opening session on Monday was PIPP Team Manager Insp. Brendan Keenan, along with Deputy Commissioner Aka Matapo.

While aspects of the core-policing programme may be a refresher for more experienced officers, this current schedule has included the five new Police recruits, who have already been undergoing tutelage. The course, delivered by SSgt. Terry Laws and SSgt. Daniel Macintosh, will wrap up at the end of the month.

• Police Media