RSIPF meets with private security owners in Honiara

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) today met with about 40 representatives from 20 private security companies at the Rove Police Headquarters in Honiara to explain the role of the police under Orders declared by the Government under the current State of Public Emergency announced on 25 March 2020 as the country puts into place measures to prevent the coronavirus (COVID-19) from entering Solomon Islands.

Under the State of Public Emergency, RSIPF has a key role to play in supporting the leading agency in the implementation of Public Health measures to contain any outbreak of the COVID-19 in the country and as well as preventing specific criminal activities arising from the implementation of the orders.

Speaking to owners of the private security companies, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Operations Juanita Matanga says, “Private security owners in and around Honiara must adhere to the Orders announced under the State of Public Emergency by managing and preparing in advance your staff and their movement to your duty stations should there be a lock down or a curfew in Honiara City.”

DCP Matanga adds: “Police will carry out its duty of ensuring the Orders are adhered to and will not tolerate anyone breaching the Orders under the State of Public Emergency.”

“There will be heavy penalties including fines and imprisonment for anyone who disobeys the orders that are being issued by the Government, Let us cooperate with our Government as they put in place measures to ensure that this deadly virus does not enter our beloved Solomon Islands,” says DC Matanga.

“I would like to thank the public for their good behavior since the State of Public Emergency came into effect on 25 March 2020. The RSIPF is confident our people will continue to observe the Orders announced under the State of Public Emergency. Let us work together to ensure that the measures the Government and its agencies have put in place will prevent the COVID 19 from entering Solomon Islands.”

Police will arrest any person spreading false information to the public regarding COVID -19 as Solomon Islands is yet to record any positive COVID-19 case so far.