New recruits for the Community Safety Team for East Santo. Photo: Kelvin Anthony
In Vanuatu, the chiefs and the people of East Santo have described the establishment of a Community Safety Team there as a milestone.
People from various villages gathered at Hog Harbour village to witness the graduation of 19 young men and women last Friday.
The graduation ceremony was attended not only by their chiefs and families but also the New Zealand High Commissioner Nicola Simmonds and the Police Commissioner Robson Iavro.
Simmonds said New Zealand believes in maintaining peace and unity within the community through a traditional governing system.
She said it's important for communities to uphold their traditional laws, such as land laws.
Commissioner Iavro explained the Community Safety Team is a localised policing idea being implemented by the Vanuatu Police Force within communities.
He said they have trained and equipped the graduates to became their eyes and ears in the community.
Teams have already been set in South Santo and on the West Coast of the island, as well as Pentecost and in Torba Province.
Last Friday's graduation for the young Community Safety Team members also marked an historic moment for the local chiefs as they officially launched their by-laws for the first time.
Chief Joel Path, a leader in Hog Harbour village since 2020, said they have faced challenges but with the graduates in place they can now improve their roles and responsibilities.
