RSIPF Commissioner Mangau makes first visit to western border with PNG

Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Mostyn Mangau paid his first visit to the Western and Choiseul provinces this week to show the seriousness that he as the new Commissioner considers the role that RSIPF plays in keeping the western border with Papua New Guinea safe from any entry of the COVID-19 from Bougainville.

RSIPF Commissioner Mangau says, “I was accompanied during the two-day visit by the Permanent Secretary of Police Karen Galokale, Permanent Secretary of Health and Medical Services Pauline McNeil and the Deputy Australian High Commissioner at the Australian High Commission, Sally-anne Vincent. We visited Gizo, Taro and the Shortlands on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.”

“I held a parade and muster with RSIPF officers at Gizo in the Western Province and at the Taro Police Station in Choiseul Province. During the muster with officers I highlighted the importance of the role they were performing at the border with PNG and that they were the first line of defence against COVID-19. I thanked them all for performing their national security role in such hard times. I also highlighted my strong stance on discipline,” says Commissioner Mangau.

“I reinforced during the visit that one of my priorities as the new RSIPF Commissioner is staff discipline and I expect all staff to perform at a high standard. The standard you walk past is the standard you accept,” Commissioner Mangau told the officers at Gizo and Taro.

Commissioner Mangau adds, “A key aspect of the discussions with officers in Western and Choiseul Provinces as well as in the Shortlands centred around my concern for police welfare and that the National Government was ensuring police and health staff had sufficient resources to effectively perform their job.”

“I understand that some people in the western border region of the country are worried after the confirmation of a positive COVID-19 at Buka on Bougainville two weeks ago. The RSIPF has increased its man power at the western border to 74 officers and will increase the patrols in the western border red line,” says Commissioner Mangau.