By GINNAH MINI
TWELVE Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) officers are undergoing the country’s first joint cybersecurity and digital forensics training aimed at strengthening police capacity to investigate cybercrime and transnational crime.
The week-long Cyber/BIRDE (Basic Incident Response to Digital Evidence) training is being delivered through a partnership between the RPNGC, the United States (US) Embassy in Port Moresby, the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC).
The 12 officers, all from the RPNGC Investigations Unit-Cyber Division, will be trained in handling digital evidence, tracing cybercrime and cybercriminals, and capturing and preserving data for investigations.
Speaking at the opening of the training at Airways Hotel today, US Embassy Senior Law Enforcement Advisor Larry Foukas said the program was part of a broader partnership established between the RPNGC and the US Embassy.
Mr Foukas said a memorandum of understanding and letter of agreement were signed in May to support joint law enforcement programs, including cybersecurity training.
“Our number one goal is to combat trans-organized crime, because everything that comes in affecting PNG—we need to find ways to stop the citizens being affected by it,” he said.
He said the training would also strengthen the police response to cyber-related cases affecting ordinary citizens, including online scams, extortion and harassment.
“Once reported to police, they would immediately act upon it and work on the investigation,” Mr Foukas said.
RPNGC Executive Director Rod Swain said the Constabulary’s cybercrime team had been working hard despite limited support, but that the situation was changing.
“We are putting a lot of emphasis on the work that you do and the importance of it,” Mr Swain said.
“You are a very important element of the Crime Division and the RPNGC more generally. It’s an area that we’re going to continue to develop over the coming years.”
US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Alex Berenberg said the training represented an investment in PNG’s self-reliance and would strengthen the capacity of local investigators.
He said the program would equip PNG investigators with the tools and trusted technological standards needed to contribute to regional security efforts.
The training will conclude on September 4.