Police Engage Selwyn College Students in Awareness Session

RSIPF officers, supported by Australian policing partners, recently visited Selwyn College in Guadalcanal Province to deliver an interactive awareness session for students.

The visit formed part of ongoing community policing and youth engagement activities delivered by the RSIPF, with support from RSIPF and AFP Policing Partnership Program (RAPPP), across Guadalcanal Province and beyond.

The session focused on real issues affecting young people today, including drugs, alcohol abuse, sexual harassment, and child safety. Students were encouraged to make positive life choices, remain focused on their education, and work towards building bright futures.

Students actively participated throughout the session, asking questions and sharing their thoughts, which made the discussions lively and meaningful. The visit created an open and safe space for dialogue between police officers and students, helping to strengthen trust, understanding, and confidence between young people and police.

Provincial Police Commander for Guadalcanal Province, Superintendent Edwin Sevoa, said it was rewarding to see the positive response from students.

“It is always encouraging to engage directly with young people and see their reactions during these sessions. Selwyn College is in a more isolated area, and opportunities for regular police visits can be limited, so this engagement was very important. Awareness like this will go a long way in guiding students to stay away from drugs and focus on their studies,” Superintendent Sevoa said.

Also present during the visit was Roy Kimisi, one of RAPPP’s Locally Employed Contractors, who delivered a presentation on the Child Safety ‘Be Aware, Take Care’ initiative.

“Child safety starts with awareness. When students understand how to recognise risks and how to protect themselves and others, they are empowered to make safe decisions. The ‘Be Aware, Take Care’ initiative is about giving young people the knowledge and confidence to speak up and stay safe,” Mr Kimisi said.

Speaking on behalf of the school, Selwyn College Deputy Principal, Mr Mamani Tito, thanked RSIPF and RAPPP for taking the time to visit and engage directly with students. He expressed the school’s sincere appreciation for the awareness program and reinforced the importance of the messages shared.

“We sincerely thank RSIPF and RAPPP for visiting Selwyn College. We truly appreciate you taking the time to come and speak to our students, especially given our location. The messages shared today on drugs, alcohol, sexual harassment, and child safety are very important, and we will continue to reinforce them within our school. This visit has made a positive impact on our students,” Mr Tito said.

The awareness session forms part of RSIPF’s ongoing community policing initiatives aimed at strengthening partnerships with schools and communities throughout Guadalcanal Province.

On behalf of Guadalcanal Province Police, Superintendent Sevoa acknowledged RAPPP for its continued support in strengthening community policing initiatives across the province.

“The goal of RSIPF is to work in partnership with the public to build strong relationships, trust, and confidence within our communities,” he added.

RSIPF and RAPPP remain committed to empowering young people, strengthening community ties, and working together to create safer communities across the Solomon Islands.