RSIPF ‘Operation Prime Minister Election 2019’

More than 700 officers from all departments of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) are being deployed under ‘Operation Prime Minister Election 2019’ to provide security at the National Parliament Building and other parts of Honiara for the election of the Prime Minister this Wednesday 24 April 2019.

This includes officers from community policing, general duties, high visibility patrol, critical infrastructure patrol, close personal protection, police headquarters, Police Maritime, Traffic, Fire & Rescue and public order management groups including the Police Response Team (PRT), the Central Response Unit (CRU) and the Provincial Response Unit(PRU).

“The mission of this Operation is to ensure public safety by maintaining law and order during the election of the Prime Minister. We have prepared and trained for this operation over the past year even up this morning with a route march through Honiara City by members of the PRT, PRU and CRU. Your Police, the RSIPF is now ready to execute the Operation Order,” says Commissioner Matthew Varley.

He adds: “This Operation has already started with high visibility patrols throughout Honiara and awareness talks to identified communities within Honiara City and the Guadalcanal Province.”

“On Wednesday 24 April, the Operation will focus on Parliament House with crowd control and high visibility policing presence to keep the environment safe and secure. At the same time other officers will also maintain high visibility patrols at other strategic locations throughout Honiara City.”

“RSIPF has decided not to give any chance for instability leading to a public order situation during the election of the Prime Minster. We want to make it clear that any illegal disturbances, disorderly conduct or even riots will not be tolerated. Our specialised public order teams are well trained and equipped to ensure the safety of our community,” Commissioner Varley emphasises.

“But at the same time,” Commissioner Varley says, “we hope that we will not encounter anyone trying to cause trouble and that the election of the Prime Minister goes ahead peacefully. The vast majority of citizens of this country are law abiding people who want peace for this nation. So I am asking all community leaders to discourage anyone who may be planning to disrupt the political process. If you have information on any security risks, please report it to any police station or call the Police Toll Free Line 999 or the Police Operation Centre 27895.”

He adds: “Anyone planning any march through Honiara during or after the election of the Prime Minister must be aware that this is not approved, as no application indicating intention to stage such an event has reached the RSIPF within the 14 days legal requirement under the law.”

“Let us show the world that Solomon Islands is a peaceful country and that its citizens respect law and order. We have proven to the world that we can do this during the peaceful National General Election on 3 April. Let us continue this through a peaceful election of our new Prime Minister and the formation of a new government,” says Commissioner Varley.

Police encourage members of the public who do not have any urgent business in the centre of Honiara City on Wednesday this week to stay away and follow the election of the Prime Minister on television, radio or social media.

Public are also advised that the Honiara Central Market will be closed on Wednesday 24 April. A liquor ban covering Honiara City and Guadalcanal Province will be imposed from Tuesday 23 April to Thursday 25 April 2019.