The Vanuatu Police Force (Bislama: Ni-Vanuatu Polis; VPF) is the national law enforcement of Vanuatu. The VPF is headquartered in Port Vila and has two specialised arms: a small para-military force, the Vanuatu Mobile Force, and a maritime force, the Vanuatu Police Maritime Wing.
| Vanuatu Police Force Ni-Vanuatu Polis | |
|---|---|
 Flag for Vanuatu Police Force | |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | Vanuatu |
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Port Vila |
| Child agency | |
| Website | |
| Official website | |
Organisation
editMaritime Wing
editThe Vanuatu Police Maritime Wing currently operates a single Guardian-class patrol boat, RVS Takuare, as well as a variety of small craft including the Australian supplied RVS Mataweli.[1] The Maritime wing primarily operates from RVS Mala outside of Port Vila, an Australian funded base which has a large wharf able to host both Australian and Ni-Vanuatu vessels.[2] Until 2021 the wing operated a single Pacific Forum-class patrol boat, RVS Tukoro.
History
editVanuatu has provided police officers to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands since July 2003.[3] Ni-Vanuatu police officer Benson Samuels is contingent commander of the ni-Vanuatu police serving as part of RAMSI's Participating Police Force (PPF). In a 2006 interview Police Commissioner Lieutenant Colonel Lui Patu Navoko voiced support for the idea that Vanuatu would benefit from having a National Security Council.[4]
Police Commissioners of Vanuatu
edit- Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Coulton (2002[5])
- Lui Patu Navoko (2002-29 September 2009)
- Lieutenant Joshua Bong (29 September 2009-October 2012)[6]
- Arthur Caulton (October 2012-)[7]
Ranks
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ Senator Penny Wong [@SenatorWong] (December 13, 2022). "There is no better demonstration of the cooperation between our two countries than the refurbishment of RVS Mala Base Wharf, which was formally handed over today, along with police boat RVS Mataweli. Australia is proud to be Vanuatu's principal security partner of choice" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Closer security ties flagged with Vanuatu as Australia wrestles with China's Pacific rise". ABC News. 12 December 2022.
- ^ "Vanuatu". Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
Ni-Vanuatu Police officer Benson Samuels is contingent commander of the ni-Vanuatu police serving as part of RAMSI's Participating Police Force (PPF).
- ^
Sam Seke (2006-11-09). "VANUATU: Commissioner wants Security Council - 11/09/2006". Radio Australia. Archived from the original on 2007-09-19. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
Lieutenant Colonel Patu Lui says it's important to have a security council - and the sooner it is formed the better. But Mr Lui says his priority now is to get rid of the element of fear and distrust in the Vanuatu Police Force, the Police Maritime wing and the paramilitary Vanuatu Mobile Force.
- ^
"Vanuatu names new police chief, date for mutiny hearing set". BNET Business News. Sydney. 2002-09-02. Archived from the original on 2008-03-04. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
Lt. Col. Arthur Coulton of the army, known as the Vanuatu Mobile Force, was sworn in as the new acting police commissioner Thursday, the spokesman said.
- ^
"Joshua Bong becomes new Vanuatu police commissioner". Radio New Zealand International. 2009-09-29. Archived from the original on 2012-08-29. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
Lieutenant Bong replaces Lui Patu Navoko whose contract expires tomorrow.
- ^ Bule, Hilaire; staff (2012-10-05). "Vanuatu Police Commissioner sacked". ABC News. Retrieved 2020-04-27.