Police and immigration sign deal to share workload

Police will now perform immigration functions following the signing of an agreement with Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority.
Minister for Immigration and Border Security Petrus Thomas said during the signing that the agreement would strengthen the relationship between police and immigration.
“This agreement will solidify the relationship between our agencies to share intelligence, promote capacity building of our respective agencies in investigations, and support cooperation on operational matters”, he said.
Police Minister Jelta Wong said that police and immigration had a very close working relationship on operational matters.
He said it was all the more fitting that this relationship was strengthened in the form of an agreement.
Thomas said: “Under the agreement, selected immigration officers will also undergo a six-week training programme to become reserve constables and be trained in the use of firearms.
“This is timely as we host the Apec meetings.
“This arrangement will also boost the manpower of police in their operations and to help perform immigration functions at the same time.”
Two police fraud investigators have also been seconded to the Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority.
They will help investigate cases of fraudulent payments for migration services, lodgement of fraudulent applications, and complaints on cases of extortion.