Chiefs, church and women leaders from communities in Honiara are to assist the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) maintain law and order during the current political situation being experienced in the country.
This follows a meeting coordinated by the RSIPF National Community Policing Unit with about 20 chiefs, church and women leaders representing settlements in and around Honiara today.
“Being a Police officer let alone a female is quite challenging but everything has challenges,” says Police Constable Roberta Ora, one of only two female officers who serve in the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Fire and Rescue Service, as firefighters.
34-year-old Police constable Roberta Ora who comes from Western, Malaita and Temotu Provinces was recruited as a Police officer in July 2007 and in the past 10 years she was posted to various units within the RSIPF including General duties, National Traffic Unit, Administration duties and National Intelligence unit.
Police Constable Ethel Maeue, 39, from Mbaelelea in the Malaita Province had always dreamt of becoming a police officer and when she was recruited in February 2002 that dream was fulfilled.
“I was only one of four females among the 70 officers recruited during that year but that did not put me off,” says Constable Ethel, who is currently only one of three Police Prosecutors stationed in the capital Honiara.
The situation got worse in 2004, when Constable Ethel was recruited for an upgrade.
The Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) appeal to the members of the public especially in Honiara to remain calm as the country’s national politicians vote on a new government according to the National Constitution.
“Let me make it clear that the RSIPF takes no side in the politics of this country. The Police are independent of politics. Police serve the people of this nation and uphold the law at all times,” says Commissioner of Police, Matthew Varley.
The second recruit training course within the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) for this year has begun at the RSIPF Police Academy in Honiara with the recruitment of 70 new recruits.
RSIPF Commissioner, Matthew Varley, members of his Executive and Advisors from Australia and New Zealand attended the opening ceremony for the training course at the Rove Police Headquarters in Honiara today Monday 6 November 2017.
Her words may not be original, but 26-year-old Constable Annette Mepirke of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) strongly believes in the concept.
Asked what is her message for other women who might be thinking about becoming a Police Officer?
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) commends the general public in and around Honiara for the good behaviour and understanding shown during the three- day visit of the President of the Republic of China on Taiwan (ROC) (Taiwan) from 1-3 November 2017.
Supervising Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operation, Gwen Ratu says, “As the overall Commander of the Police Operation for the visit, I am pleased with the good behaviour shown by members of public in and around which resulted in an incident- free visit.”
Twenty dolphins have been released from captivity and 14 suspects arrested in a joint operation by Police officers in Gizo and Noro, Western Province and officers from the Ministry of Fisheries at Rapata Village on Kolombangara Island on 1 November 2017.
This came about after Police and Ministry of Fisheries received information that the dolphins have been allegedly trapped and kept for illegal export.
Members of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) this evening mounted a full guard of honour to welcome the President of the Republic of China on Taiwan (ROC), H.E Tsai Ing-Wen who touched down at the Henderson International Airport after 7.30 pm for the start of a two-day visit to Honiara.
The guard of honour for the ROC President included a Male and Female Platoon accompanied by a Colour Bearer Party. The RSIPF Brass Band was also part of the parade.
The Joint Border Security Taskforce consisting of representatives of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), Customs, Immigration and Agriculture departments have completed a tour of the islands in the western border including the Shortland Islands and Choiseul Province.
The tour left Honiara on the RSIPF Patrol Boat Auki on 24 October and arrived back on 31 October.
