The Comprehensive Security Cooperation Course has enabled the Deputy Divisional Police Commander West, Superintendent of Police (SP) Aisake Kafoa develop an appreciation of the importance of applying critical thinking skills and creativity to various security challenges.
SP Kafoa who was one of the three Pacific Island representatives attending the five-week course funded and supported by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and backed by the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police successfully completed the course at the prestigious Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) based in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The APCSS is an institution that provides a forum where Military, Ministry of Defence, Foreign Affairs and Civilian leaders from the Indo-Pacific get to attend Courses and upgrade security aspects of their respective fields.
SP Kafoa while meeting the Commissioner of Police, Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho thanked him for backing his nomination through the PICP.
He said he was able to collaborate with security practitioners and government agencies from across the Indo-Pacific representing diverse regional beliefs and perspectives on a wide array of security issues.
SP Kafoa said the course objective was to enhance knowledge on security matters and cooperation, develop fellow participants’ effectiveness and expand networking within the Indo-Pacific security community.
He added in the area of economic security, security practitioners were impressed with Fiji’s handling of the COVID-19 situation as the recovery phase has been quick as it also provided him the opportunity to attend the Course.
Facilitators and presenters were from the Asian Pacific Centre Security Studies Faculties.
SP Kafoa said, “The course has really brought to the forefront that we cannot work in isolation.”
Brig-Gen Qiliho has acknowledged and thanked the PICP for supporting the nomination and initiative which was initially discussed by the PICP Executive Leaders Team in Sydney, Australia in February 2020.
