The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Review Team conducted a COVID 19 operation in the Western Border to meet with the FAMOA Council of Chiefs, Mono Chiefs and elders as part of the review of the police operation.

Assistant Commissioner (AC) of Police National Capital and Crime Prevention (RSIPF COVID-19 Operation Commander) Simpson Pogeava says, “During a meeting with the FAMOA Council of Chiefs, Chiefs and elders in Mono, there were many positive issues raised concerning the Police Operations here at the Western border including representatives from the women and youth groups in both islands.”

AC Pogeava says, “Communities are secured with the presence of police, especially the Police Response Team (PRT) at the Western border as they had been assisting in many situation that they have encountered before in terms of reporting criminal cases that cannot be handled by our communities.”

Operation Commander Pogeava says, “The communities also noted that with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic that is now affecting them especially those here in border, they have full confident in our police officers. With the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Papua New Guinea (PNG) policing work is very important to protect communities in the Western border.”

“People from our neighbouring island in Bougainville had made attempts to enter in to our waters even through these trying times as we fight against this COVID-19 with declaration of the State of Public Emergency (SoPE) last year 2020. But we have been assured by our police officers on how we observe them carrying out their duties,” AC Pogeava adds.

Communities in Shortland Islands applaud our police officers for the job well done and recommend that this operation must continue.

“I want to acknowledge both communities for all the comments and recommendations raised to help support our review team. We appreciate you for honouring our request and for taking time out from your busy schedules or commitments within your families and communities.

We look forward for continues support rendered to our officers to help each other in working together to fight against this COVID-19 pandemic,” says AC Pogeava. 

 

Source: Press Release, RSIPF