Senior RSIPF officer retires after 31 years of service
Retired Chief Supt. Wate speaking on behalf of the retirees
Chief Superintendent David Wate comes from Sulufou Village in North East Malaita, Malaita Province. He joined the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at the age of 26 with the dream to become a Police officer like his father who was also a Police officer.
Today, 23 May 2019 Chief Superintendent Wate received his retirement certificate in front of other officers of the RSIPF at the Rove Police Headquarters in Honiara and walked around the compound for the final time. He is one of 13 officers who retired from the Force.
David Wate started with the RSIPF on 13 March 1988 at the Police Training School now known as the Police Academy. He was confirmed as a Police Officer in 1990 at the Naha Police Station in Honiara.
“I have served the RSIPF for 31 years and during my service I spent most of my time in the Investigations Department.”
“During my career I came across many challenges in investigating serious crimes, attending breaking incidents and visiting crime scenes, the ethnic conflict which we were heavily involved in investigating and other serious corruption cases in 1996.”
His service started at the Naha Police Station in East Honiara in general duties for only nine months. Seeing his potential he was posted to the Naha Investigations Department where he served for seven years. He was then posted to the National Investigations Department serving in the Fraud and Serious Crime Units where he served for another seven years when he was promoted to the Staff Sergeant position.
From 2004 to 2008 he was posted to Central Province and served in Tulagi and Yandina respectively.
From 2008 to 2017 he went back to his home Province of Malaita and was posted at the Auki Police Station where he was promoted to Inspector and then Chief Superintendent. He was also appointed as the Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Malaita Province during that period.
David Wate came back to the Rove Police Headquarters as Director of the National Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) in 2018 where he remained until his retirement today.
“During the years I have worked with other senior officers who have since left RSIPF and many others. At my retirement, I feel relieved from all the pressures of my work with the RSIPF but sad to leave my work colleagues and other RSIPF officers. Hope we will see each other in Honiara or Malaita.”
“As I am leaving the RSIPF, I salute all ranks and files within the RSIPF. And to those who served with me, I would like to thank you for our service together through thick and thin. I wish you all well.”
“To the young officers, discipline and respect is the key to a successful career. At the same time do extra studies to support you in your daily duties.”