ISAAC MARTY
Five Majuro Atoll Local Government (MALGov) police officers were certified with basic computer literacy skills at Alele National Archives and Museum recently as part of the local government’s goal to establish computer systems in every police substation. The certified officers completed about two months’ training through Alele’s computer program.
Sergeants James Jorimle, Huston John, Leojen deBrum, Junior Antolok, and Berment Lani received their certification from new Alele Director Melvin Majmeto.
Majmeto and Alele Librarian and Computer Specialist Angeline deBrum explained that the computer program is funded through an Institution of Museum and Library Services grant. The program has been ongoing for two years. It is open to the public and recently had the first police participation. Four more groups of five officers are to follow. The course included computer basics, Microsoft applications, and online lessons. Training instructors were deBrum and Alele Interns Tarlos Larron and Kecy Benjamin, both students at College of the Marshall Islands. “They (policemen) needed assistance (in using computers) at first but now they are independent,” said deBrum.
Majmeto who had been working with MALGov for a number of years stated that the level of computing skills in the past was very weak. The current training opportunities would really help push police work forward, he said.
MALGov Lieutenant Nang Jack confirmed that they are moving to get computers for every police substation. There are four substations: one each in Rita, Rairok, Ajeltake, and Laura. “Once computer systems are in place, there will be a lot more communication between these substations and headquarters, especially when it comes to the police ‘blotter’ reports which are the critical part of the work. Thanks to Alele things will be much easier,” said he said.
Currently there are 102 MALGov police officers.
Read more about this in the July 22, 2016 edition of the Marshall Islands Journal.