Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says the new police facility that was opened Wednesday is the Government’s latest efforts to address the third aspect of the force, the National Operations Response Capability.
The new National Response Department Building of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) was officially launched yesterday in a ceremonial event.
This facility accommodates a new armoury, an armourer’s workplace, offices for the Police Response team (PRT), Close Personal Protection team (CPPT) and the Explosive Ordinance team (EOT), male and female barracks accommodation and firearm unloading bay.
Mr Sogavare in his key note address said this is another key service area which the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has assisted the Government to step up, in its continuing efforts to provide disciplined and well managed capability to respond to any emerging security concerns nation-wide.
“This facility is not just another ordinary building but it provides the central nerve centre to conduct important functions and services that will enable RSIPF to respond to any security situation with strategic and well-managed and disciplined tactics, using specially designed and fitted equipment and resources.
“Both the Government and RAMSI recently announced our intention to introduce limited rearmament of certain selected RSIPF personnel.
“In keeping with this intention therefore, the Government with RAMSI’s assistance constructed this building and the facilities within, to support this limited important and necessary rearmament program.”
He said it is from this reason that the decision was made to construct this facility to accommodate a new armoury, an armourer’s workplace, offices for the PRT, CPPT and EOT, the barrack accommodation and firearm unloading bay.
The prime minister added that some of the equipment inside the facility especially in the armoury and adjacent workplace are the latest state of art security apparatus, and includes a biometric security system which operates on thumb scanning and Closed Circuit TV.
The CCTV is connected to various monitors within the facility, to allow for 24-hour visual scan of the interior of the building, and is linked directly to a Central Surveillance Point also within RSIPF.
The prime minister explained reason why the government has spent so much funds in the facility and in particular the rearmament of selected RSIPF Operations Personnel follows from quite intense deliberations within the RSIPF, relevant ministries and the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet over the RAMSI 2013 – 2017 Drawdown strategy.
“It was during these meetings that the decision was made to put a Paper to the Cabinet seeking approval for limited rearmament of certain RSIPF units.”
He added that the decision to provide an armed capability to the RSIPF is a Solomon Islands Government initiative, not a RAMSI decision.
“It was the decision by Cabinet in 2013 that authorized the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services to work with RSIPF and RAMSI to develop a framework and implement the RSIPF limited Rearmament Program.”
Mr Sogavare assured everyone that the Government, working together with RAMSI, have deliberately taken this process slowly and carefully, and following more than a year of community consultations, have gotten back the views of over 16, 000 people who have been directly consulted, including Ministers, Provincial Governments, women’s groups, church groups, youth groups, business houses and communities at large.
He said from the feed-back, there is a clear consensus that the people of Solomon Islands supported rearmament with appropriate safeguards and strict procedures.
“It is with this finding in mind, that the Government asked RAMSI to help RSIPF undertake a staged and limited rearmament program, along with this facility which we are here to celebrate its opening.”
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
