RSIPF and RAPPP visit DPASI office in Honiara

Sexual Assault Unit officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and RSIPF-AFP Policing Partnership Program (RAPPP) have visited the office of the Disabled People’s Association of Solomon Islands (DPASI) at Chinatown in Honiara recently.

The visit was conducted to discuss how police could improve their relationship with their community and to reassure them that police are here to serve all members of the community.

The DPASI visit provided further opportunity to address these important issues, with police recognizing the opportunities to better serve the community.

During this program, the community members expressed the challenges they faced in reporting matters to the RSIPF, describing in detail their lived experiences and difficulties faced every day.

Detective Police Constable (PC) Lucy Kaehuna said RSIPF has recently held a Vulnerable Witness Course, in which members of the disability community were engaged to help RSIPF officers expand their interviewing and investigative skills.

PC Kaehuna said during the visit RSIPF and RAPPP presented DPASI with gifts, including educational materials and sports equipment. They hope this initial visit will help build trust and improve police interactions with disabled community members.

DPASI Program Manager Mr. Watson Mali expressed his gratitude to the RSIPF for their attendance and shared his hopeful anticipation for the beginning of a renewed and successful partnership.