The four officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) who returned from the second deployment to the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Darfur, Sudan have been awarded the RSIPF’s International Law Enforcement Cooperation Medal during an official welcome parade at the Rove Police Headquarters today.
The four officers, who arrived back in Honiara on 23 October 2018 include:
Staff Sergeant Tex Tafoa;
Sergeant Nelson Kalea;
Police Constable Gregory Kisina, and
Police Constable Joseph Poleita.
“These medals are awarded to you by the RSIPF, the Government and the people of Solomon Islands in recognition of the great contribution you have achieved at the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Darfur,” says Commissioner Matthew Varley when presenting the medals to the officers.
“Thank you for rendering your services to the UN Mission on behalf of the people of Solomon Islands. We are so proud of the professionalism which you have displayed during your 12 months on the Mission. Your performance has been recognised internationally. You have been great ambassadors for RSIPF and the country as a whole.”
Commissioner Varley explains: “RSIPF has aspired to be part of the UN Mission for sometimes because of its own experience in areas of conflict. And with the support and drive by different stakeholders and the Solomon Islands Government we were able to achieve this aspiration.”
Commissioner Varley also thanked family members of the officers for their support while the officers were away overseas.
The four officers were part of the second RSIPF deployment to the UN Mission in Darfur. Three officers, who are also part of the second deployment but only left in May this year, are still in Darfur and are expected to return in May or June 2019. RSIPF started sending officers to the UN Mission in 2017.
The RSIPF is working together with the Government on future plans to send more officers on UN Peacekeeping Missions.