More women are expected to join Tonga Police in July and that recruit squad is targeted to have more women than men.
The new police barrack opened in Nuku’alofa today was part of the Ministry’s endeavour to provide decent and modern accommodation to cater for the new female recruits.
These statements were taken from what Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva and Police Commissioner Steve Caldwell said in speeches they made while they commissioned the new police barrack at the Tonga Police Academy in Longolongo today.
The TP$1,053,468 buildings funded by New Zealand and Australia comprised of a training room, 20 bed rooms furnished with a table and a chair, a wardrope as well as a toilet block.
“These new police barracks and training room facility avails Tonga Police of much needed upgraded accommodation that supports the effectiveness of the accredited Tonga Police College in the delivery of training to Tonga Police at all levels, from recruit to upcoming Tonga Police leaders,” Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva said.
Police Commissioner Stephen Caldwell said the new building means an opportunity to bring in more police officers to Police.
“This day not only represents the opening of a new building but it opens the door to our future vision for the Tonga Police College, being a centre of learning excellence for our police officers,” Caldwell said.
“The purpose of this building is to accommodate our new recruits commencing in July, it will house our female recruits. I have clearly signaled that I wish the next recruit intake to be 50% women recruits.”
Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva in his keynote address said the new building would benefit Tonga’s Police College in its delivery of training to new recruits.
“These new police barracks and training room facility avails Tonga Police of much needed upgraded accommodation that supports the effectiveness of the accredited Tonga Police College in the delivery of training to Tonga Police at all levels, from recruit to upcoming Tonga Police leaders,” he said.
“These barracks and the land behind it will be used for the construction of a solar system to enhance the operation capacity of Tonga Police through access to a reliable source of electricity. This is also a crucial initiative that supports the commitment of the Tongan Government to reducing carbon emissions through renewable energy.”
The new barracks was designed by the Kramer Ausenco architects and built by the Yanjian Construction.
