THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) strongly rebutted an article published over the weekend in Solomon star newspaper with the title ‘Security pact could split RSIPF’ as misleading.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) National Security and Operation Support (NSOS) Mr. Ian Vaevaso said this security deal will not pose any division among the RSIPF at all. This is because this security pact will benefit and safeguard National Security and Social Order in the Solomon Islands which RSIPF is lawfully mandated to fulfill. How would RSIPF work against its Mission statement and its core mandates?”
DC Vaevaso said, “The article even mentions that move is not going down well with some elite RSIPF officers. This is not true. The whole of RSIPF and its Executive are working together effectively, as usual, to manage to police matters of this country and I am extremely happy with the performance of the RSIPF so far, despite challenges the country has faced.”
Mr. Vaevaso said, “The RSIPF is an independent body, thus officers must remain independent and operate according to the RSIPF code of conduct. I am confident that RSIPF officers are working together within the organization and with our security partners.”
He said, “The arrangement for the Papua New Guinea Police to return is to support the RSIPF in its ongoing efforts to maintain law and order, based on a request from the national government. The RSIPF strongly supports the return of the PNG Contingent to the country. They have been overwhelmingly contributing to the success of SIAF in the country over the past months as far as law and order is concerned. Most of the communities and business houses are appreciative of the work of SIAF in the country and so RSIPF.”
DC Vaevaso said, “The published article even mentioned building a China Military base in the country and the extension of parliament for five years. The RSIPF is not aware of any proposed military base to be built as mentioned in the article. This is misleading and we must be very careful about such misinformation. Otherwise, we are fuelling up the issue to cause hatred among ourselves. The proposed extension of the National Parliament is a matter for the national political leaders and not RSIPF.”
Deputy Commissioner Vaevaso said, “I tend to believe that the RSIPF insider as claimed in this article is perhaps a ghost insider because the information provided in this article is not true and not near to any truth. Having said that, I would encourage RSIPF officers to continue to abide by RSIPF Internal Processes to bring up issues to the RSIPF rather than using the media.”
“I would like to make it very clear that the Commissioner of Police has no interference in any police investigations and he always keeps to his neutrality. I do not understand why the issue of investigation is brought up as an issue in this particular article. However, whatever interest anyone has, investigation and arrest decisions are matters for responsible areas or departments within the RSIPF and DPP office to deal with.”
“I would encourage people to take time to read the Police Act and the Constitution to understand the role and powers vested upon the Police Commissioner so that we do not mislead the public. I realise that this article was made purposely to criticise the good work that Commissioner and the RSIPF has done and an attempt to destabilise RSIPF. Whatever it is, those efforts will not work because RSIPF is as strong as ever,” said Mr Vaevaso.
SOURCE: RSIPF MEDIA UNIT
