“Serve your country faithfully” - PC Talatau
PC Talatau recieves his certificate from Commissioner Varley
“My time is catching up on me. I am satisfied with my service to this country and to the people of Solomon Islands,” says retired Police Constable Richard Talatau who has served the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) for 37 years.
Constable Talatau is among 13 officers from the RSIPF who have been retired from the Force this week. Those serving in Honiara were farewelled during a parade at the Rove Police Headquarters in Honiara today (23 May 2019).
Constable Talatau comes from Sikaiana, Malaita Outer Islands in Malaita Province. He was recruited back in 1 March 1982 as a Bands man at the age of 18. During that time the RSIPF Band was under the Field Force.
“Coming this far amazes me. There are many changes and transition that’s taking place in the organisation. I am satisfied with the duties that I have contributed in one way or the other to this organisation. For me it is time to hang up this police cap and move on,” he says with a smile.
He explained that serving in the RSIPF has become his passion and it is like a family to him.
“RSIPF is like a family to me and I spent most of my time in this organisation. I surely will miss my colleagues and the operational duties.”
But at the same time he said that he is excited to leave and spent time outside of the organisation.
When asked about the challenges he faced during his career, Constable Talatau smiled and says, “There are challenges that I faced as a police officer especially during the ethnic tension days when I spend most time away from my family on duty manning the common border with Papua New Guinea from 1997 to 2003 on rotation basis. It is the time when real challenges are met.”
Police Constable Talatau has become specialised in playing the cornet in the RSIPF Brass Band. He has performed during events such as the Queen’s Birthday parades and Independence Day celebration parades.
When asked about what would be his encouragement to young officers in the Force, he says, “I want to encourage officers to work faithfully in serving this country. To me it is about the service we provide to our people and our communities.”
All the retired officers were presented a Certificate of Appreciation, together with a RSIPF plaque.