The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) hosted two important events on Wednesday 14th September 2016.
They were the launch of the RSIPF Environmental Crime Manual and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Commissioner of Police and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM).
The events were held at the Heritage Hotel, Honiara and were attended by representatives of the Government, Ministries, the RSIPF, Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) and the Participating Police Force (PPF), Diplomatic and Consular Corps and other stakeholders. The Honourable David Tome, Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening was one of those present at launching to witness this important occasion.
The guest speakers during the launching included PPF commander Mr. John Tanti, Miss. Katrina Moore, the Author of the Manual, Permanent Secretary MECDM, Dr. Melchior Mataki and Commissioner RSIPF, Mr. Frank Prendergast.
Mr. Frank Prendergast indicated in his speech ‘the Manual will assist members of the RSIPF with identifying and enforcing environmental crimes. It will also be very useful for various Solomon Islands Government agencies when they are exercising their powers and carrying out their functions.’
The launching of the Environmental Crime Manual coincided with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the RSIPF and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology.
Ms. Katrina Moore and the Commander PPF presented the Manual to the Commissioner who thanked Ms. Moore, an experience layer who has worked diligently in producing the Manual, and the PPF who supported the project for its production.
Mr. Prendergast also like to acknowledge other agencies like the Landowners Advocacy and Legal Support Unit (LALSU), Solomon Islands Law Association, Public Solicitors Office, Attorney Generals Chambers, Public Solicitors Officer and all the Ministries who contributed to the Manual.
The signing of the MOU between the two agencies not only marks another milestone but it paves the way forward for the agencies to deal with the environmental crimes occurring in the Solomon Islands.
Permanent secretary Dr. Melchior Mataki of the Ministry of Environment said ‘the production of the Manual and signing of the memorandum of Understanding is address the need of this country’. He further stated ‘it puts together existence of laws are already in place pointing out areas need to be enforced.’
The Manual is available in electronic format on the RSIPF website at www.rsipf.gov.sb.