REARMAMENT CONSULTATIONS REACHED PROVINCES
RSIPF Commissioner Frank Prendergast. Photo credit: SIBC.
Community consultations into the limited rearmament program of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) have been going well, with consultations now reaching the provinces.
Police Commissioner Frank Prendergast confirms at his weekly media conference in Honiara yesterday.
He told local journalists the consultations have reached the provinces, with Isabel province next week.
“They’ve occurred in Western province, they’ve occurred in Makira and I think the teams are over in Isabel next week with those limited rearmament consultations and that’s really about talking to people about why we see there’s a need for rearmament, what their concerns are so we can build those into our approach.”
The Police Commissioner says people need to understand that before any rearmament, the Solomon Islands Government needs to approve its use.
“What has to occur though and I think it’s very important people understand this, we are at the moment discussing limited rearmament before it can occur it needs to go back to the government for endorsement, so the next step will be to develop a cabinet paper to go back to the government in outlining the progress and then asking for their endorsement to continue with the process.”
SIBC News understands, once approved, only the Airport police, Police Response Team and Close Personal Protection Officers will be armed under the limited rearmament program.