RSIPF thank AFP Advisors for service

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), last week, thanked three members of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) who have been supporting the RSIPF over the last four years.

Advisor John Lal, Melanie Stevens and Charmaine Li are completing their deployments in the Solomon Islands in the coming weeks. All three members initially deployed in 2019 as part of the Solomon Islands Police Development Program (SIPDP). When SIPDP ended, they continued to support RSIPF under the new RISPF and AFP Policing Partnership Program (RAPPP).

In a send-off for the outgoing AFP members, RSIPF Deputy Commissioner Juanita Matanga presented each of them with certificate of appreciation and the International Law Enforcement Cooperation medal.

DC Matanga said the support these members provided to the RSIPF has helped build the RSIPF to a level that meets current policing challenges. She said the members leave behind them a legacy that RSIPF and AFP members will continue to maintain.

“The RSIPF will continue to work closely with your colleagues who are still in the country to help strengthen the RSIPF,” Deputy Commissioner Matanga assured the outgoing AFP members.

The three members have supported RSIPF across a range of disciplines including frontline, PSII, learning and development, project management and finance. The members were also involved in supporting the RSIPF response in the aftermath of the November 2021 riots.