The RSIPF Commissioner, Matthew Varley is satisfied with the progress of the rearmament of two specialist units namely the Police Response Team (PRT) and the Close Personal Protection (CPP) under the Force’s National Response Department (NRD) since commissioning in early May this year.
“This capability of rearming the two specialist units within the RSIPF started way back in 2013 when the Solomon Islands Government requested the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) and the RSIPF to start working on the limited rearmament project as part of RAMSI’s drawdown policy. All these preparations including the training and construction of a state-of-the art armoury at the Rove Police Headquarters culminated in the commissioning of 125 members of the two specialist units to carry less lethal and lethal firearms on 8 May this year,” said Commissioner Varley
“After about two and half months, I wish to report to the public in Solomon Islands that I am more than pleased with the way things have progressed so far since the commissioning of the two specialised units. All the NRD officers have carried out their duties appropriately.”
Commissioner Varley explained: “This includes the signing in and out of the weapons on a daily basis, the daily, weekly and monthly auditing of weapons and ammunitions, the weekly training for all PRT and CPP officers, the discipline of all the NRD specialist officers, the policies and procedures as well as the running of the Armoury.”
There have been no breaches of security and all protocols and guidelines are being followed. The NRD officers are doing a great job so far.
“I must congratulate all the PRT and CPP officers as well as the NRD Director, Chief Superintendent Stanley Riolo for a job well done so far. Since their commissioning, these officers have already been involved, though in the background, in some of the recent major operations including the RAMSI farewell celebrations and the Solomon Cup 2017 and they have performed to expectation.”
The RSIPF Commissioner urges the public to continue to have confidence in these officers and the rest of the Force as they carry out their duty of providing security for the citizens of Solomon Islands.