RSIPF farewells late PC Tony Panda

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in the Western Province yesterday (24 May 2020) farewelled their colleague officer the late Police Constable (PC) Tony Panda during a funeral service after he passed away on 23 May 2020.

Presenting the late Panda’s eulogy during the funeral service at Rarumana Village, Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Western Province Chief Superintendent Mathias Lenialu says, “I am humbled to stand here on behalf of the Commissioner of Police and all ranks and files of the RSIPF throughout Solomon Islands.”

Chief Superintendent Lenialu says, “I am lost for words to describe the sadness that engulfed us at the news of the passing away of one of our own. I would like to inform relatives and friends that we are immensely saddened at the unfortunate passing away of the late PC Tony Panda. He had served in the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force for 30 years.”

PPC Lenialu adds, “The late Constable Panda had served in the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) for 30 years. He was born on 11 July 1964 at Gizo Hospital, Gizo Island in the Western Province. Late police constable Tony Panda attended Rarumana Primary School from grade 1-6 and for Secondary Education at Kukundu Adventist High School doing forms 1-3.”

“As a very energetic young man and seeing the importance of policing, he aspired to joining the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in which he applied and was enlisted as a police recruit on 7 May 1990.”

He was posted to Auki Police Station and spent his probationary period serving the people of Malaita Province. After he successfully completed his two years’ probation he was then confirmed by the Commissioner of Police as a permanent member of the RSIPF. He was confirmed on 7 May 1992.

During his time in the RSIPF late Police Constable Panda underwent several training courses including Operational Safety Techniques (OST) Methods of Instructional Techniques, a Provincial Trainers’ Workshop, Leadership Development Program, AAR and a Basic Interviewing Course.

“The passing away of late PC Panda denied his long and satisfying career. Let me assure the relatives and friends this afternoon that the RSIPF salute him and will continue to remember the legacy he has left behind, his positive contributions to the RSIPF to provide leadership at the police stations he had served.”

PPC Lenialu adds, “We valued so much the contributions of the late Police Constable Panda to the RSIPF and the people of Solomon Islands. The length of time he served in the RSIPF was highly commendable and honored by all ranks and files within the Force. He unselfishly gave himself to serving the people of this country by enlisting into the RSIPF to protect life and property and to maintain law and order.”

“It is sad to note that his untimely passing away caught him quickly and took his life. His passing away is not only a loss to you the wife and children, relatives and communities of Rarumana Village, Parara Island, but also a great loss to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.”

“I salute him for his service. He will be long remembered by members of the RSIPF who served with him. So long and farewell colleague. May his soul rest in Eternal and Blessed Peace with the Lord,” says PPC Lenialu.