Five serving officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) have been recognised in the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours and Awards for their service to the Force.
H.E the Governor General Sir Frank Kabui announced the awards during the Queen’s Birthday Parade at the Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara on 8 June 2018.
Three of the police officers were awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM). The officers are Assistant Commissioner, Mostyn Mangau; Chief Superintendent Ian Bara and Chief Superintendent Stanley Riolo. The other two officers, Superintendent Steve Waiwori and female Sergeant Elizabeth Tekaingo were awarded the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM).
“On behalf of the RSIPF Executive and all ranks and files, I wish to congratulate these five officers for the recognition of their personal achievements within the Force and also a recognition of the work of the RSIPF in keeping law and order in the country,” says Commissioner of RSIPF, Matthew Varley.
“I encourage all officers within the RSIPF to aim high in the performance of your daily duties wherever you are serving because you too will be recognised through the awarding of such honours and awards,” says Commissioner Varley.
Former Commissioner of RSIPF, Frank Prendergast, who is now Assistant Commissioner in the Australian Federal Police (AFP) today officially received his Order of the British Empire (OBE) medal from H.E the Governor General, Sir Frank Kabui for his services as Commissioner of RSIPF between 2014 and 2017. Mr Prendergast’s OBE was announced during the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours and Awards.
Officers of the RSIPF including the Police Band, the Correctional Services of Solomon Islands (CSSI) and members of several youth groups including the Boys Scouts, Girl Guides, Brownies and Pathfinders took part in the colourful parade at Lawson Tama to commemorate the Queen’s 92nd birthday.
After the parade, the RSIPF Police Band put up a good show by showing some of their dancing skills and entertaining pattern movements.
Police are mounting an operation during the long weekend targeting antisocial behaviour in public, drink driving on the roads and any suspected criminal activities in the capital city.
Police in the provincial capitals are also expected to do the same; for a safer community in Solomon Islands.