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National and State Police Officers Participate in New Leadership Program

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): May 26, 2010 - From May 11 to May 21, 2010, four mid to senior ranking police officers from National Police and seven officers from the State Police of Yap, Chuuk, Kosrae and Pohnpei, attended the first Micronesian Leadership Development Program. The program was held at the College of Micronesia, organized by the Australian Pacific Police Development Program (PPDP), in partnership with the Australian Institute of Police Management (AIPM). Police officers from Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands were also in attendance.

The goals of the PPDP are to increase the effectiveness of the police services in Micronesia and to increase community confidence in the police forces. To achieve these goals, the training covered topics such as contemporary leadership models, critical thinking, problem solving, emotional intelligence and risk management.

"The training was very interesting, it was done mostly through practical exercises rather than lecturing; it was very interactive," said Winspur Raymond, National Police Investigator, who attended the program. He found that the "Reflective Learning" topic was one of the most helpful subjects covered; it taught him how to examine issues of concern triggered by on-the-job experiences, and as a result, learn to change any pre-conceived opinions he may have.

The Micronesia Red Cross Society was also a participant in this event and offered a presentation on the subject of domestic violence. The organization offered to work more closely with the police force to help educate the community about domestic violence.

Concurrently with this program, three FSM National Police officers and two State Police officers are attending a PPDP program in RMI which focuses on how to interact with the media. Two other FSM National Police officers are also attending a U.S. course in Palau relating to investigation procedures, firearms and maintenance. The American program has been set up in preparation of three armories to be build in the near future in the FSM via a U.S. initiative.