Tonga's new Police Commander, nominated yesterday as New Zealander Chris Kelley, is expected to come to Tonga under an Australian and New Zealand Government funded Police Force Development Program worth over $4 million pa'anga, aimed at reforming the leadership and operation of the Tonga Police Force.

"After the 16/11 riots the public's confidence in the Tonga Police Force declined and I am certain this new program will bring back the confidence of the people in the Tonga Police Force and I envisage it will happen over time," said Minister of Police, Hon. Siaosi 'Aho on July 2.

The minister signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of a new Tonga Police Force Development Program with the Australian High Commissioner HE Dr Bruce Hunt and New Zealand High Commissioner HE Christine Bogle, tat the Tonga Police Force headquarter, Longolongo.

The new tri-partite development program between the three countries of Tonga, New Zealand and Australia will run for five years.

Australia

Dr Bruce Hunt said that the Australian Government was contributing AUD$2.6 million dollars, which was roughly $4 million pa'anga for the program in the 2008-09 financial year.

He said the five-year program would, "essentially focus on training of police staff, help develop local leadership within the force, and provide practical equipment such as office tools but will not include arms."

Hon Siaosi 'Aho expressed his appreciation for the assistance from Australia and New Zealand. He said that the MOU that they signed was a culmination of a joint assessment mission held over the last year between the three countries, identifying areas for reform within the Tonga Police Force.

"It identified the need to upgrade the skills of police personnel through much needed training that will be provided by the Australian and New Zealand Police as well as the provision of resources and infrastructure that will help develop the work of the force as a public service," he said.

New Commander

An important component in implementing this project is the nomination of Chris Kelley, from the New Zealand Police Force as the new Police Commander for Tonga. Chris Kelley has over 30 years of experience in the force.

The Minister of Police said the nomination of the new Police Commander would be taken to the Tongan Cabinet for confirmation soon but he expected Chris to take his position in September this year.

The new Commander is expected to form a staff development program to train a group of future leaders for senior positions within the Tonga Police Force.