The 8th Tonga Police Force contingent to the regional peace keeping force in the Solomons were farewelled in Canberra by the Tonga High Commissioner to Australia, HRH The Crown Prince Tupouto'a-Lavaka at the Chancery Pouono, on 14 December.

The eight-members contingent has been on a six weeks of intensive preparatory training in Canberra, and were ready for deployment to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), a regional Peace Keeping force that was first deployed to the Solomon Islands in 2003.

HRH The Crown Prince Tupouto'a-Lavaka welcomed the officers and reminded them that they are ambassadors for Tonga while they contribute to the peacekeeping efforts, security and community-building in the Solomon Islands.

The farewell ceremony was also attended by Supt. Paul Breen, from the Australian Federal Police, and the Coordinator of the Pacific Police Development Programme, and Mrs Lautoa Faletau Finau, the Pacific Islands Police Advisor.

The Tongans will serve a 12-months assignment to the Solomon Islands, and will be allowed home leave twice, at intervals of 4 months.