RSIPF officers complete first crime and intelligence workshop to tackle serious and organised crimes

Ten (10) Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) officers become the first to complete a Crime and Intelligence workshop aimed at strengthening the fight against serious and organised crimes.

The workshop, which ended at the Rove police headquarters on 24 September, is part of a larger series that will enhance the skills of RSIPF officers in conducting high quality investigations and preparation of evidence briefs.

These series of workshops, which will run throughout this year, is the result of a collaboration between the RSIPF and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). The RSIPF-AFP Policing Partnership Program (RAPPP) provided financial and advisory support.

During his closing remarks, Director of the RSIPF’s National Criminal Investigations Department (NCID), Chief Supt. Leonard Tahnimana, said RSIPF investigators are entrusted to ensure communities are safe from serious crime by helping to bring those who break the laws and hurt communities to justice.

"If we cannot perform this task, there is no one else protecting our community from serious and organised crimes," Supt. Tahnimana said.

He said the role of Crime and Intelligence officers is crucial therefore their investigations and evidence brief preparation must also be of the best quality.

Supt. Tahnimana told the officers who completed the first workshop that they are on track to becoming future crime and intelligence instructors.

ODPP’s Director, Andrew Kelesi, said their ability to prosecute those who break the laws depend on the quality of police investigations.

“When police fail to properly investigate a case, the ODPP cannot successfully prosecute it," Director Kelesi said.

He described the workshops as “timely” saying it will help adjust and improve how RSIPF officers do their investigations and produce quality prosecution briefs for court purposes.

“Things are changing and the ways criminals operate are also changing. These workshops come at a crucial time as new types of crimes such as cybercrimes and human trafficking, are emerging. These workshops will help improve how an investigation is conducted, where to get evidence, how to collect evidence and how to interview a suspect,” Kelesi said.

He said these crimes require different investigative approaches than the normal traditional crimes.

“To get cases successfully prosecuted by the ODPP, it starts here,” Kelesi told RSIPF officers who witnessed the closing.

He added these workshops will not only boost the way briefs are prepared but will also boost case outcomes.