The RSIPF Commissioner, Matthew Varley reminds members of the Force that as a professional police force, the RSIPF needs the best leaders in its ranks and files.
“And that is why we must have open and fair, but tough, promotion processes. As a professional and modern police force, the new RSIPF must have the most capable, skilled and qualified leaders who show vision, integrity and strategic thinking. This is the expectation of the communities that we serve.”
Commissioner Varley made the statement during a parade at the Rove Police Headquarters today (Thursday 3 August 2017) to officially convey the promotions to some of the 61 officers who were recently promoted to the ranks of Inspector, Superintendent, Chief Superintendent and Assistant Commissioner.
“These promotions are important to ensure we have a strong and capable leadership team in the RSIPF. As we have said all year, now that RAMSI has finished, the responsibility is on each of us to take up full responsibility for policing and security in Solomon Islands,” says Mr Varley
He continues: “Strong leadership of the police force, at all levels, is important to ensuring we can safely and effectively protect the people of Solomon Islands and meet our national and international security obligations.”
“To each officer who is being promoted, congratulations and welcome to the senior leadership team of the RSIPF. You have stepped forward and asked for the responsibility of leadership, which means you will be both a leader and a servant. For these reasons, being a leader at any level is hard work. The hard work for you starts today.”
Commissioner Varley explains that because of the processes within the Force, not everyone who have applied will be promoted.
“I understand that some officers in the RSIPF may be disappointed that they missed out on promotion. I also understand that some officers have suggested that I should have promoted senior officers based on ethnicity or based on representation of some provinces. But it is important to understand that in the modern RSIPF, ethnicity cannot be a factor or reason for promotion. We must select the best officers, with the best skills and qualifications for the important responsibility of leading the RSIPF. I believe that the community expects this of us.”
RSIPF Commissioner Varley emphasises: “We are the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force. We are the police force of the nation and we serve all people of the Solomon Islands. We uphold the law for all.”