❓ WA Parliamentary Question on Notice regarding overseas air travel for WA Police officers to Singapore and Nepal to enhance cross-cultural understanding and strengthen ties with the Singapore Police Force. The Minister provides details of similar exchanges and the rationale for the specific visits.

I refer to the Report on Overseas Air Travel for the 3 months to 31 December 2024 and two trips by N Vanderplank and J Otten from 2 to 12 December to Singapore and Nepal to enhance cross cultural understanding, strengthen professional ties and improve ongoing relationships between WA Police and the Singapore Police Force. Can the Minister advise:(a) Are there similar cross-cultural exchanges with other police forces around the world:(i) If so, which ones and when have these exchanges occurred; and(ii) If not, why not;(b) Why has the Singapore Police Force been identified for this cross-cultural exchange;(c) What is the relevance of visiting Nepal as part of the Singapore and WA Police Force cross cultural exchange;(d) When was Nepal visited by these two officers; and(e) Where in Nepal did these two officers visit and who did they meet with?

(a) Yes. (i) Between 21 October 2024 to 3 November 2024, two officers travelled to Canada as part of an international officer program. (ii) Not applicable. (b) The Singapore Police Force Gurkha Contingent (SPFGC) has a long-standing operational and cultural relationship with Kununurra Police Station which started in 1995. Approximately 100 SPFGC officers attend Kununurra each year as part of their training requirements. (c) Nepal is the recruitment base for the Singapore Police Force Gurkha Contingent. (d) 6 to 10 December 2024. (e) The officers met with serving Singapore Police Gurkha Contingent recruiting staff at Pokhara.