For the first time after many years, all of the executive positions in the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force have been substantively filled during the recent promotions approved by the Police and Prison Service Commission.
The executive positions in the RSIPF include Assistant Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and the Commissioner. There are currently four Assistant Commissioner positions and this will increase to five after the recent creation of Assistant Commissioner, Crime which will be effective 31 July 2017.
“For the first time in many years, all the executive positions inside the RSIPF structure have been substantively filled with the recent confirmation of the Assistant Commissioner, Provincial, Joseph Manelugu into the position. This is a very important thing for the strength of the organization now that RAMSI has ended,” said RSIPF Commissioner, Matthew Varley.
“I am looking forward to having a very strong leadership team in place. I am very pleased that the Police and Prison Service Commission has approved and endorsed the recommendations for promotion. I know it’s been a long piece of work to make sure we reach this stage but all the panel members involved in the selection ensured the promotions were merit based,” said Commissioner Varley
Commenting on the 61 promotions recently announced, Commissioner Varley said there are five females among those promoted.
“That’s not enough. I would like to see more women promoted as part of our strategy and commitment to gender equality in the police force. Fifty percent of the current recruitment course are women. But we need to do more to encourage women to seek leadership opportunities in the Force,” said Mr Varley
Among the recent female promotions is Inspector Evelyn Thugea who has been promoted to Chief Superintendent and will be the new Chief of Staff in the Office of the RSIPF Commissioner.