Cook Islands Police Service Maritime Division has received an added boost with new electronic equipment to advance its technical capability in surveillance operations.

The upgrade comes thanks to the Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

At a virtual handover session on Wednesday afternoon with GMCP programme coordinator Shanaka Jayasekara, and national programme officer Kalusiani Vuki, Acting Police Commissioner Akatauira Matapo expressed gratitude for the kind assistance.

The IT equipment will benefit the national efforts to strengthen maritime law enforcement capability, and combating illicit maritime activity in our EEZ and around the Pacific, Matapo said. 

Small island countries need to monitor and keep building their capability through training and utilising advanced technology to manage the threat of crime in the region, including the sea trafficking of drugs and illegal fishing.  The police will be better placed to monitor the Cook Islands’ EEZ and work closely with its international partners in the surveillance of the broader Pacific region.

Meanwhile three officers from the Police Maritime Division were recognised for qualification accomplishments in their respective roles with Te Kukupa.  Sergeant Andrew Ngaiaere (Navigation Officer), Assistant Sergeant Joe Napa (Engineers Level 3), and Constable Murray Wilson (Seamanship), were presented with their certificates at the Maritime Surveillance Centre by Acting Commissioner Matapo.

                - Police Media