Police begin operations ahead of Forum Leaders Meeting

By Alfred Pagepitu

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has started operations in preparation for the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting next month.

 Supervising Assistant Commissioner for National Operations, Francis Ramoni, stated during a talk-back show yesterday that police officers began deployments on Friday to provide security for the Pacific Water Forum, which will lead into the Leaders Meeting.

 He confirmed that more than 800 officers are currently involved in the operation.

 “For this Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting operation, we are expecting 800 to 1,000 officers. These include resources from Honiara, Guadalcanal Province, as well as Western and Choiseul Provinces.”

“We have started operations as of Friday to cover this  water forum as well as preparations leading into the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting from 8 to 12 September. Our mission is to provide a safe, secure, and peaceful environment for our leaders and the general public in Honiara,” he said.

 Ramoni added that in Honiara, operational teams based in the city will play a key role in supporting the operation under the Honiara Provincial Police Commander (PPC).

He stressed that the main intent of the operation is “to protect the safety and dignity of our visiting leaders upon their arrival in Honiara.”

 “So the resources in Honiara will be fully utilized to support this operation, together with provincial support, making a total of 800 to 1,000 officers.”

“We will also deploy our Close Personal Protection Unit to provide security for each individual leader as part of the overall security package,” he said.

 Meanwhile, Ramoni outlined that the RSIPF operation will be rolled out in six phases.

“Phase One is the planning and preparations, which have already started, including small elements of traffic and water operations. Phase Two covers the arrival of leaders, supported by EOD, close personal protection, and traffic units. Phase Three will focus on the official opening of the Forum and the meeting proper.”

 “Phase Four will cover the leaders’ retreat in Western Province, with support from local resources and additional deployments from Honiara. Phase Five will include the closing ceremony and the safe departure of our VIPs. Finally, Phase Six will be the debrief, to identify gaps for improvement in future national events,” he explained.

He also  calls on the public to cooperate with police during the event.

 “I would like to urge our good people, especially from Henderson to Honiara town, to be patient with us. There will be traffic escorts for leaders moving between the airport, accommodations, and meeting venues.”

 “I would also like to urge our good people in the Western Province to be supportive and give moral support. Police is everybody’s business. Together we can contribute to showcase our beautiful country to the leaders who will be visiting us in a couple of weeks’ time.”

ENDS//