Dear Editor – The Development Association of Tikopia and Anuta (DATA) has strongly criticised the Police Force on the use of guns to arrest non-violent citizens on Vanikoro Island early this month.
The police actions on the use of guns for the arrest were unprofessional and uncalled for.
Police are professionals in their job and had been trained when to use excessive
force and when not to use it.
Their Policing strategy is to work in partnership with the community for a safer and peaceful Solomon Islands.
Their actions on 10th February 2016 on Vanikoro does not reflect well on their Policing strategy. (No mixim guns wetem police policing).
The incident of the use of guns had certainly lost the trust and confidence of the Tikopian community on the Police.
I had already written to the Commissioner of Police lodging the complaint on the use of guns to arrest non-violent citizens on Vanikoro Island.
I urged the Commissioner to investigate and clarify the use of the guns and whether his offtce
authorized it.
I called on the Commissioner’s office to take serious actions on this issue and for other responsible authorities to halt logging operations on Vanikoro.
I have appealed to the Tikopian communities in Honiara, Vanikoro, Tikopia and elsewhere to remain calm as my committee had already taken steps to resolve the issue.
Nathan Ratu Nukufetau
Chairman of DATA
