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New Zealand Police in Bougainville

Bougainville Community Policing Project

"Although enthusiastic about the produce we were not entirely convinced on the merits of coconut fuel. But eventually we decided to convert one of four BCPP vehicles. There has been no noticeable change in the vehicle’s performance, with the only obvious difference being that the exhaust emission fumes now smell of coconut. Much better than the diesel fumes!".
Team Leader of the Bougainville Community Policing Project Inspector Bazz Bailey

Buka coconut processor Matthias Horn and Constable Tania Turner, with the coconut powered vehicle.
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In 1999, the New Zealand police entered Bougainville as part of the Bougainville Community Policing Project (BCPP) to formally establish community-based policing in this autonomous region of Papua New Guinea.

The joint NZAID/AusAID project involved the recruitment and subsequent training of suitable candidates to the newly established Community Auxiliary Police (CAP).

New Zealand police designed the training syllabus specifically for the CAP and drew heavily on indigenous conflict-resolution techniques.

NZAID identified the need for such a project after Bougainville emerged from a long period of civil war and sought to establish itself as an autonomous state from Papua New Guinea. At that time, there was no visible and effective law and justice systems in place.

In 2001, the BCPP project was ceased after the successful establishment of the Community Auxiliary Police, however the project was re-started again in April 2005 to allow the establishment of effective court and penal systems.

In this stage of the project, New Zealand police are working at village-level with a council of elders and village board to establish a restorative justice system.

General tasks

The broad goals of the BCPP project are to:

  • successfully recruit candidates for the Community Auxillary Police
  • develop and maintain a training programme for local police recruits.
  • increase the capability of the community police service
  • develop effective, 'home-grown' law and justice systems

Timeline

  • 1999 - New Zealand police enter Bougainville as part of the Bougainville Community Policing Project.
  • 2001 - After the successful establishment of Community Auxillary Police, NZ police withdraw from Bougainville
  • 2002 - Bougainville Peace Agreement Act implemented, providing greater autonomy for Bougainville and laying the foundations for referendum on independence in 10-15 years time.
  • April 2005 - New Zealand police return to Bougainville to help develop indigenous law and justice systems


 

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Further reading