Combined disciplinary forces undergo Search course training

A completion of a Basic Search Course Training was done ON Friday at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby.

This is the start of a three week series of courses being run to prepare the PNGDF combined with the Police and the Correction Service to be able to conduct the task of search of any major event that the country will conduct in the future.

Under the Joint Task Force- APEC Security, Defence Corporation Program Lieutenant Colonel Campbell Paine says this week was basic of search course training  and next week will be a series of training activities that will see the trainees to be team leaders to lead a small group of men to conduct search.

“The third week will be a higher level of which will teach guys to be commanders and planners of activities so they can be able to take the venues and plan how it will be searched to make sure that it is safe for those that are participating or spectating in this particular location,” Lt Col Paine says.

The training is being co- funded by the Australian Defence Force- Defence Cooperation Program and the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

“The Defence Cooperation program has been in the country for a while now and the AFP who support the Constabulary in a similar manner.”

Lt Col Paine added that this was done most importantly together because they understand the significance of inter-agency and bringing everyone together especially in an environment where there is a lot of work to be done and the necessary people are not always around.

“It’s an economic effort so it makes sense for us to all work together,” he says.

 The group conducting the bomb search training is from a company in Australia called Explosive Protective Equipment (EPE) of which they had conducted training for Australian Military prior to the G- 20 summit that took place in 2014.

Lt Col Paine explained that, predominantly the Australian Military did most of the search task because it is a man powering intensive activity and having seen through the experience of the G -20 summit, it was realized that EPE would be of great importance to help us by means of training here in PNG with the same skills required for major events.

“They are a world’s best practice without a doubt and having then here to train is really important.”

Author: 
Annette Kora