Commissioner Varley welcomes back officers deployed to Malaita on NGE duties
RSIPF Commissioner left of Navy personnel, and is amongst returned officers from Malaita, onboard Melville
Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Matthew Varley with two members of his Executive, Deputy Commissioner Juanita Matanga and Assistant Commissioner Mostyn Mangau yesterday (8 April 2019) welcomed back to Honiara officers who were deployed to Malaita Province to provide security during the National General Election (NGE).
“As the Commissioner I am pleased with the assistance of the Australian Navy vessel-Melville which was able to transport the officers from Malaita. Me and some members of my Executive were able to welcome them back to Honiara after a job well done,” says Commissioner Varley.
“I want to congratulate all the RSIPF and Correctional Services of Solomon Islands officers who did a fantastic job to ensure the voting on 3 April and counting from 4- 7 April in the provinces was conducted in a safe and peaceful environment. This includes the provincial police commanders (PPCs) and their officers. I believe the confidence in the RSIPF and CSSI by members of the public has been boosted as a result of a successful NGE,” says Commissioner Varley.
He explains: “Some of the officers deployed to provinces for the NGE duties will remain in the provinces to assist PPCs and their officers until such time that we are satisfied the extra officers are no longer needed out there.”
The officers returning from the NGE deployment to the provinces will now join other officers remaining in Honiara to provide security from the process of election of the new Prime Minister and Government.
The return of the deployed RSIPF and CSSI officers from the provinces will continue this week through the use of the RSIPF patrol boats as well as helicopters and a fixed wing aircraft under the Combined Task Group comprising of the Australian and New Zealand Defense Forces.