Chiefs workshop
Empowering the chiefs role
7th Oct. 2015
Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the presence of, and thank all the Communities Chiefs here today.
Secondly I would like to thank the stakeholders including the National Community Policing unit of the RSIPF for organising the workshop.
I believe that holding such a workshop will help to rebuild our role as leaders in the community to combat and to prevent, reduce and solve crimes.
As we are all experiencing, our role in the community today is more challenging than it has been in the past, due to changes in lifestyle and the increase of anti-social behaviour among our children.
We can all work together to address these issues to prevent crimes from occurring.
The importance and aim of workshops such as this one is to rebuild the very fine roles of the chiefs in each community. And that will be the theme of the workshop “EMPOWERING THE CHIEFS ROLES”.
Solomon Islands consist of diverse culture and customs. This diversity brings stronger and wider roles and empowers the Chiefs to deal with some of the routine and sensitive matters within their set boundaries.
Exercising the Chiefs power will serve to build respectful communities. Some of the important issues that are expected to be discussed during the workshop include;
• The new crime prevention model to be introduced
• Chiefs roles and responsibilities according to law/custom
• Standardizing all compensation claims
• Chiefs selection
With the prevailing increase of crime rates across the Solomon Islands especially in Honiara, the workshop is geared towards addressing these social issues and empowering the Chiefs to deal with such issues.
The RSIPF is working very hard together with all stakeholders including the Chiefs to prevent crime and to build harmony in our society. It is with pleasure that I officially open the workshop.