Captain Jason Hutchings has been putting both his military and policing skills to good use for the past six months in Solomon Islands, where he has been deployed as part of the regional assistance mission there.
A Territorial Force officer, Captain Hutchings is deputy commander of the mission’s military component. In civilian life he is a police constable in Gisborne, where he works as an education officer with local youth programmes.
The assistance mission in Solomon Islands includes a large contingent of police from 11 countries throughout the Pacific, with 25 from New Zealand.
"I chose to come here as part of the military because I wanted the leadership and command experience, and what I have been doing here is very different from the work I do at home.
"The New Zealand Defence Force has had a presence, in varying numbers, in Solomon Islands for the past five years. That presence was downsized last year, but is due to increase in February 2006, with the deployment of an infantry platoon.
Captain Hutching’s role has included him being operations officer as well as deputy commander, and hence his time has been busy.
"Each day we send out patrols around the island, and plan and run operations from our headquarters (in Guadalcanal). There are always meetings to attend, and liaison with various other groups.
"The police are responsible for security in Solomon Islands, and the military provides support, with the combined contribution geared towards promoting peace and stability. Captain Hutchings says he has gained a wealth of experience in operational planning, and working in a coalition environment.