Pacific / Cook Islands

Cooks police to improve response skills in wake of shootings

07:26 am on 13 July 2018

Cook Islands Police chief, Ma'ara Tetava Photo: RNZI/Florence Syme Buchanan

Cook Islands Police are close to finalising a new emergency response process in the wake of the country's first triple-shooting fatalities nearly two years ago.

A review made 15 major recommendations for changes within the Cook Islands Police Service.

Police Commissioner Maara Tetava says they've been consulting with the Australian Federal Police and New Zealand Police on how to enhance the ability of officers to respond to violent and life-threatening incidents.

Mr Tetava says he hopes his officers never have to respond to such events, but he says like all police forces they need to be better prepared.