Australia Border Force trains SI Customs & Immigration officers

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The Australian Border Force (ABF) has delivered investigative interview training to Solomon Islands Immigration and Customs, to help equip officers to plan and conduct detailed and effective investigative interviews at the border.

Having the skills to undertake effective and lawful interviews is critical to protecting Solomon Islands borders and ensures more successful enforcement outcomes from both Customs and Immigration.

The training is part of the ongoing capacity building program being delivered by the ABF to focus on improving the capability of Solomon Islands border enforcement agencies.

It covers complex concepts such as cognitive interviewing (witness interviews), conversation management (suspect interviews), memory theory, strategic use of evidence, and general investigative techniques.

Officers participated in five days of classroom and scenario-based learning and were required to break out into smaller syndicates and demonstrate the ability to prepare, plan and conduct an interview with a witness and a suspect, including undertaking formal record of interviews.

Officers now have the skills and ability to undertake a wide variety of interviews in varying levels of complexity.

Acting Director of Immigration, Chris Akosawa, said the course protects the integrity of Solomon Island border.

“It is the critical function of border agencies, and to do this requires strong enforcement and investigations capabilities along with interoperability between the agencies.”

“We thank the ABF for delivering this course and their ongoing assistance to build capability within the Solomon Islands border agencies.”

Customs Comptroller Peter Hughes said a strong enforcement and investigations capability is vital in preventing revenue evasion and other border threats.

“This course is just one example of the way we are upskilling our officers in line with our Customs Reform, Modernisation and Capacity Building Strategy’.

Another aspect of the course was the opportunity for internal networking and collaboration among Customs and Immigration officials.

By working together, border enforcement agencies can efficiently share information and resources, undertake joint investigations, and enhance their overall effectiveness in combating threats to the Solomon Islands border.

ABF Inspector Johan Eshuys said the ABF is proud to work alongside Solomon Islands Customs and Immigration.

“Delivering these courses to our international partners provides the perfect opportunity to build our existing strong relationships.”

“The ABF has two officers posted to Honiara on a long-term basis as part of the ABF Pacific Network, and they will continue to work closely with Solomon Islands border agencies through capacity building, training, and ongoing mentoring.”

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