The Vanuatu Police Force (Bislama: Ni-Vanuatu Polis; VPF) is the national law enforcement of Vanuatu. The VPF is headquartered in Port Vila and has two specialised arms: a small para-military force, the Vanuatu Mobile Force, and a maritime force, the Vanuatu Police Maritime Wing.
The Vanuatu Police Maritime Wing currently operates a single Guardian-class patrol boat, RVS Takuare, as well as a variety of small craft including the Australian supplied RVS Mataweli.[1] The Maritime wing primarily operates from RVS Mala outside of Port Vila, an Australian funded base which has a large wharf able to host both Australian and Ni-Vanuatu vessels.[2] Until 2021 the wing operated a single Pacific Forum-class patrol boat, RVS Tukoro.
Vanuatu has provided police officers to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands since July 2003.[3] Ni-Vanuatu police officer Benson Samuels is contingent commander of the ni-Vanuatu police serving as part of RAMSI's Participating Police Force (PPF). In a 2006 interview Police Commissioner Lieutenant Colonel Lui Patu Navoko voiced support for the idea that Vanuatu would benefit from having a National Security Council.[4]
Ni-Vanuatu Police officer Benson Samuels is contingent commander of the ni-Vanuatu police serving as part of RAMSI's Participating Police Force (PPF).
Lieutenant Colonel Patu Lui says it's important to have a security council - and the sooner it is formed the better. But Mr Lui says his priority now is to get rid of the element of fear and distrust in the Vanuatu Police Force, the Police Maritime wing and the paramilitary Vanuatu Mobile Force.
Lt. Col. Arthur Coulton of the army, known as the Vanuatu Mobile Force, was sworn in as the new acting police commissioner Thursday, the spokesman said.
Lieutenant Bong replaces Lui Patu Navoko whose contract expires tomorrow.