RSIPF review team meets PDOC in Choiseul Province

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force COVID-19 review team met with the Provincial Disaster Operation Committee (PDOC) in Taro, Choiseul Province on 25 May 2021.

The meeting is part of police review program with stakeholders that has been setup after the declaration of the State of Public Emergency in March 2020 to work together and fight against the coronavirus.

Assistant Commissioner (AC), National Capital and Crime Prevention (RSIPF COVID-19 (Operation Commander) Simpson Pogeava during the meeting says, “Our purpose to meet with the committee is to obtain feedback on how police supports PDOC and vice versa and identify issues of improvements to enhance the current RSIPF COVID- 19 Western Borer Operations.

AC Pogeava says, “What are the challenges that police faced that had impacted on PDOC. What are some good things police have contributed to support PDOC. And what are the recommendations on how police will do to fully support PDOC in this COVID-19 operation.”
Provincial Secretary (PS), Choiseul Provincial Government, Mr Jeffrey Pakipota says, “What has been done so far by police is very effective. I speak on behalf of my people. We are of great concern if this COVID-19 enter our shores. Thumbs up for police as this situation is very critical at our side. We cannot contain the virus compared to Honiara where they have critical infrastructures in place to contain and eliminate the virus at the Quarantine Stations and also to avoid community transmissions. This review is important because we can talk about what we can improve on to do better as we continue to fight against the deadly disease.”

Director of Nursing in Taro Hospital, Choiseul Province, Mr William Jifa says, “I want to thank the police for taking up the responsibilities in assisting health. Without police support we already victimise like other countries.”

Mr Jifa adds, “Our neighbouring countries have already experiencing transmission of COVID-19 cases. We do not know how safe we are as we speak now we can have any positive case at any time. Proper facilities to cater for such situation is an issue and this are some areas of improvements that I understand our team and responsible authorities should take in to consideration.”

He adds, “The police operation setup is very good and I want to convey my gratitude to the job well done by our serving police officers stationed and deployed to western border operations hence that support to the medical must continue. I understand this operation is mainly for COVID-19 but you have given more help than we expected. Especially for transporting our critical medical patients from Taro to Gizo immediately when our needs arise despite of the distance. Many lives should have been gone but because of your generous support and cooperation, we manage to save them.”

Mr Jifa said, I want to call on my good people in Choiseul Province and Shortland in Western Province to work together with police, medical and other government agencies that are working at the Border in order to protect us from importing this deadly disease to our shores.

AC Pogeava says, “our review team is very much appreciative of the recommendations provided and acknowledged the gesture and gratitude shared by the PDOC Committee members of the work our police officers are performing at the Western Border Operations. We look forward to support and work alongside each other as we continue with the fight against COVID-19.”