Virtual Meeting
A special mmeeting of Pacific Chiefs of Police was held today to discuss means of assisting the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force RSIPF following the unrest in the Solomons Island capital in recent days.
The meeting was Chaired by the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police Chairman and Fiji Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho and joining the virtual meet were the Commissioner's of the Australian Federal Police, New Zealand Police, Nauru Police Force, Niue Police Force, Samoa Police, Prisons & Correction Services and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.
Providing an overview brief of the situation was the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Commissioner Mostyn Mangau who said he was appreciative of the quick responses by fellow PICP member countries, as a 294-member international contingent had arrived to assist efforts of restoring order in Honiara.
Commissioner Mangau identified specific areas of policing assistance namely, the restoration of community engagements through community policing, the strengthening of relations with crime prevention committees, sustaining law and order, intelligence sharing and capabilities and investigations.
The PICP Chair and Fiji Commissioner Brigadier General Qiliho said member countries stood ready to assist their Solomon Island comrades and to support regional efforts.
"At the end of the day we are all brothers and sisters and as Chiefs of Police we are here to help you in whatever way we can".
"We know you want security which you have worked on, stability which has quickly been re-established so you can get back to prosperity so people can continue with their daily lives".
He added that despite the challenges faced by respective PICP countries, the essence of the Pacific way, means that assistance will always be readily available.
Sentiments echoed by the Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw as he stressed that law enforcement can often traverse politics as policing is all about keeping communities safe.
The PICP Chair said that following the detailed brief, the Pacific Chiefs of Police were able to better understand the situation faced by their Solomon Island comrades, and could now identify possible areas of assistance.
