The Cook Islands Police Service has taken a further step into the global fray to fight cybercrime, following senior level participation in a Japanese initiative.

Freshly-returned from Japan, Senior Sergeant Alan Rua was part of a multi-national training programme on counter measures against cybercrime, this month. 

He joined high level representatives from across the globe, including countries in the Middle East, South Asia, Eastern Europe, South America, and Africa. 

One key aspect of the programme was to encourage and strengthen the international cooperative networks necessary to combating cybercrime. 

During the course of the training, participants were also familiarised with the technical capabilities and digital forensic methodology utilised by Japan.

 The Police Service will be looking to enhance its organisational capabilities in cybersecurity in the near future, including developing priorities around further training and supporting legislative strengthening.

Cook Islands Police Investigators have already benefited from training provided by NZ, particularly in digital forensics. Criminal activity involving electronics is an area demanding more attention by Police, largely due to incidents of financial fraud and drug dealing.