POLICE and the Honiara City Council have reaffirmed their partnership to fight and reduce crime rate in the city.
This was the message from the Minister of Police, Peter Shanel and Honiara City Mayor, Alfrence Fatai during the official opening of Chinatown Police Post on Friday.
Mr Shanel said the government’s policy statement included putting a special attention to combat lawlessness and end all shapes and forms of crimes.
“This will be done through the development and establishment of a community and crime prevention model that is relevant to Solomon Islands,” Mr Shanel said.
“I believe facility’s such as the Chinatown Police Post will contribute to implementing this government policy and I would like to encourage Police officers who work here to make this a police post that is respected by the community.
“A police Post where the community come to seek your assistance and protection from perpetrators of crime.”
Mr Shanel also encouraged communities to use the services of the Police Post, highlighting the importance of good relationships be established to enable understanding of each stakeholders role play in maintaining law and order in the city.
“I extend my appreciation to the City Mayor for accommodating this Police Post is this facility and I am confident that this will foster closer cooperation between RSIPF and the Honiara city safe and secure.”
Mayor Fatai acknowledged the police for its service and the decision in accepting the offer to be accommodated in one of HCC’s buildings.
“The allocation and opening of this Police Post is part of the program considered as important service to the communities within this area,” Mr Fatai said.
“Police officers, the council give you all the support for you to make use of this building and provide a vibrant service to the community,” he added.
“To the public, the police must not be seen as enemies or dislike their presence, but I urge you to consider police as a friend because their service is part of our community especially in maintaining law and order.
“I would like Honiara citizens to be law abiding citizens, cooperate with the Police and let us make Honiara a vibrate crime free city so that the world can see Honiara as a model of a crime free city.”
Mr Fatai said Honiara City Council will continue to explore possibilities to work in closer partnership with the police address crime and other law and order issues in the Honiara.
By BRADFORD THEONOMI
