The safety of all athletes and officials at the Honiara Pacific Games in Solomon Islands is secured.

This was after the Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers joined their counterparts from Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) to launch a Policing Partnership Program (RAPPP) for the 2023 Pacific Games.

The programme is to help with “operational readiness and security planning” before the Games get underway in November. This is the first time Solomon Islands is hosting the Games.

According to Inside the Games, officers were joined by members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for a clean-up of woodland areas around the police headquarters at Rove, Honiara, as part of a programme of activities to set the RAPPP in motion.

“The AFP has a long-standing and well-established partnership with the RSIPF and we look forward to continuing this in the planning, testing and operation for the Pacific Games,” AFP Commander Solomon Islands Heath Davies said.

“The AFP continues to support capacity building within the RSIPF and is ready to provide specialist capabilities and support throughout the operation, in partnership with the RSIPF.”

The official launch of the Pacific Games initiative included a parade towards the Lawson Tama Stadium, which is set to stage the football competition during the Games.

Participants included Australian and Solomon Islands police officers.

Later this month, officers from the Solomon Islands are set to travel to Canberra to take part in an observer programme with Australian police.

The visit is designed to enable them to “focus on the planning and operational running of major events in a real time environment.”

The 2023 Pacific Games will open on November 19 and is expected to feature 5000 participants from 24 Oceania countries.

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