The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force has sent its first four officers for training as United Nations peace-keepers.
The Solomons Police Commissioner Frank Prendergast says they are the first of 20 officers who have been accepted for training at the Australian Federal Police's facility in Canberra.
They were chosen from 150 applicants.
The training dispatch is a further sign that the UN is increasingly turning to the Melanesian countries to help maintain peace around the world.
Police from Vanuatu as well as Fiji police and soldiers are involved, while Papua New Guinea is also preparing personnel.
Mr Prendergast says a second group of Solomon Islands police will undergo the same training next month.
He says the UN and Honiara will discuss where their officers will be posted and he says more staff will be selected to undertake the same training next year.
Photo: RNZI Koroi Hawkins