RSIPF continues with community awareness in Honiara

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force is continuing with its community awareness in settlements in and outside of Honiara following the disturbances by a small group of people after the election of the Prime Minister on 24 April 2019.

“Officers of the National Crime Prevention Department (NCPD) are continuing to engage with communities especially East of Honiara to encourage the youth to observe law and order and not to be involved in criminal activities,” says Deputy Commissioner (DC), Operations, Gabriel Manelusi.

DC Manelusi adds: “We are also engaging with community leaders, churches and schools to remind youth to stay away from getting involved in any problem and to remain calm.”

“We are also engaging members of the Solomon Islands Post Conflict Rehabilitation and Reconciliation Association (SIPCRRA) to talk with members of the community especially in the Burns Creek area East of Honiara. We are very pleased with the help from SIPCRRA members and the positive response from members of the Burns Creek community up to date. We urge members of the community to continue their good behaviour,” says DC Manelusi.

He explains: “Following the engagement with the church leaders and elders from Burns Creek they have agreed to conduct an ecumenical service involving all the churches in the area from Wednesday this week to Sunday for all youth to stay away from involving in any anti-social behaviour.”

“In the longer term, church leaders are working towards identifying youth who are at high risk of offending to organise a workshop on mindset change. We believe the churches have the resources to conduct this training but the RSIPF is willing to assist,” says DC Manelusi.

RSIPF commends the work of other stakeholders who continue to involve youth in other communities in and around Honiara to keep them away from getting involved in the recent disturbances in the City.