The country is expected to see an increase presence of Participating Police Force (PPF) as RAMSI attempts to assist the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) to conduct major security operations around the 2014 Solomon Islands National General Election.
This will be for a temporary period and will be the largest operation the RSIPF will be leading since RAMSI arrived in 2003.
A statement from the RAMSI Media Unit said about 90 additional police officers from Australia, New Zealand and several Pacific Island countries including the Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Tuvalu will join the RAMSI PPF.
“They will be working side by side with the RSIPF in election security planning and conducting high visibility operations. They will also be engaging with communities, providing mobility and logistical assistance, and tactical support if required.”
The additional RAMSI PPF personnel from Australia arrived on Monday in Honiara and personnel from New Zealand arrived on Tuesday.
Australian High Commissioner Andrew Byrne said that the deployment of additional Australian police officers to bolster RAMSI’s PPF was part of Australia’s ongoing commitment to stability in Solomon Islands.
“I’m confident that the RSIPF will maintain law and order throughout the election period”, said High Commissioner Byrne, “but securing an election is a big exercise, so Australia is happy to provide some additional police under RAMSI to help out the RSIPF at this busy time.”
