The Cook Islands Police Service is set to revive a formal partnership with the Cook Islands Boys Brigade, recognising the organisation’s long-standing support and potential to positively impact youth development and public safety.

The revival of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), initially signed in 2017 but lapsed in 2019 due to COVID-19 disruptions, has been confirmed by Police Commissioner Teokotai Joseph and reaffirmed by Police spokesperson Trevor Pitt, as well as the president of the Boys Brigade, Bob Williams.

“He has told me that he wanted to express special recognition of the Boys Brigade for their voluntary work and help, especially in cooperating with the Police,” said Pitt.

“The BB has over past years been an important community partner, particularly in providing assistance with Search and Rescue operations and assisting with the movement of people during cyclonic weather.”

Police say the MOU was a key instrument in that collaboration, and the Commissioner is “supportive of reviving the MOU and re-establishing the close working relationship.”

The revived agreement could also see the reintroduction of previously proposed youth-led safety initiatives.

Williams said one such initiative includes youth members serving as sober drivers to reduce alcohol-related harm.

“One of the initiatives that we've been planning is to be sober drivers. But because COVID came, it didn't continue,” said Williams.

“But I think through the MOU, we can use our boys to come through town and be sober drivers to our youth. So they can support each other to make sure they don't get into serious accidents.

“We're hoping that through the service our boys will provide to their peers, we'll make some life-changing decisions by those boys.”

Williams confirmed the Boys Brigade’s commitment to supporting search and rescue missions and said the renewed MOU would provide a solid foundation for strengthening collaboration with Police.

Democratic Party MP for Matavera, Vaitoti Tupa, has welcomed the MOU revival, saying it offers vital training and life experience for young people in a time when such opportunities are rare.

“This is one of the programs, and I believe that's why, if you look at it, as the Police Commissioner just mentioned, they want to continue that dialogue with having a memorandum of understanding with the Boys Brigade, because it was put on hold during the time of the COVID,” said Tupa.

Police say the Brigade’s values, instilled over generations, have shaped many who went on to become Police Officers themselves.

Asked when this will come to action, Williams said as soon as the papers are signed.