24th August 2017 Tonga Police is pleased to announce the graduation of 92 men and women from the Tonga Police, after completing a three-stage Leadership Training with a focus on „decision-making‟ in a Law Enforcement environment.
This Leadership training was introduced to Tonga Police as part of the Police Commissioner‟s priorities, with developing leadership at all level, being his key priority. He wants all officers of Tonga Police to be trained to develop their Leadership skills with a focus on Accountability, Authority and Responsibility (AAR).
Commissioner Caldwell reiterates to the graduates the importance of the training they have completed. “You have learned about ACCOUNTABILITY – You are accountable to the law, to the public, to the Tonga Police, to your staff and most importantly to yourself. You have learned about AUTHORITY – you have the authority under the law and with your rank to make decisions and implement changes – do it – Know the Law. You have learned about RESPONSIBILITY – With Rank comes responsibility. It is referred to as the burden of Command. Don‟t blame others. Don‟t push problems up, take responsibility that comes with your oath and deal with it and accept the consequences of your decisions.
“Use what you have learnt to reflect on what we stand for, and ask yourself this question, what does the Tonga Police look like now but more importantly, what is it going to look like in the future and what are YOU going to do to make it the best police Service WE can be, to provide the best Service WE can.”
Commissioner Caldwell expects a shift in Police staff‟s mindset and attitude towards how they exercise powers and authority according to law in solving problems and making decisions in their everyday duty and importantly that they are accountable to their actions.
The training was a three-stage development process with the first stage comprising of a pre-course questionnaire and a short multiple choice examination on the material that was delivered. Stage two comprises of a face to face training session. The drive to embed the behavioural change aspect of the program was emphasised in stage three.
The training was conducted by an Australian contractor Mr Steve Longford, National
Manager – Human Skills for New Intelligence. He has been contracted to deliver AAR to 200 officers of the Tonga Police with a view to train at least 6 permanent local officers as trainers to train the remaining police staff over the following two years.
ENDS
Issued by the: Tonga Police Media & Communication Officer, Tonga Police Headquarters, Longolongo; for media enquiries – Email: siaadams@gmail.com phone (676) 23 323 Fax: (676) 23 036
