RSIPF LIMITED REARMAMENT APPROPRIATE: EDMOND SIKUA
Permanent Secretary of Police and National Security Edmond Sikua far right, speaking to the media. Photo credit: RAMSI.
Permanent Secretary for Police, Edmond Sikua says the Government’s plan to re-introduce arms into the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force is appropriate with RAMSI’s transition.
Cabinet had last year approved the initiative of a limited reintroduction of lethal firearms into the police force, and the signing of the RAMSI Participating Police Force drawdown strategy program for 2013-2017.
Under the draw down strategic program, the PPF would begin a two-phase program for police officers.
This would include preparing and designing of a rearmament program, and the training of several selected officers and divisions of the Police Force that are seen fit to be rearmed.
Speaking today at the weekly Police Press Conference, the Permanent Secretary said the re-armament program is set according to Government plans.
“The limited rearmament of the RSIPF is a government decision. There are thoughts around it presuming it as the work of RAMSI. I think this not invented by RAMSI or forced by RAMSI, it is a responsibility of the government to protect its own people and ensure their safety in their own country, and also we do have international responsibilities.”
The Permanent Secretary also described the rearmament idea as ‘appropriate’, as RAMSI’s intervention is now in transition.
“So therefore, it is appropriate as RAMSI now going into transition and that government has decided that RSIPF to have limited rearmament to various sections of the police force.”