Atori wants more police officers

BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

COMMUNITIES around Atori substation in East Malaita are calling on the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) to increase the number of police officers in Atori.

Currently only one probationary police officer is manning the station.

Villagers reported that the Officer commanding station (OCS) in Atori has not been able to frequent the station and they are concerned. They demand that the Provincial Police Commander (PPC) for Malaita province clarify to them, the rural people of East Malaita whether the OCS is still in office.

“In situations concerning security we believe and put our trust in police as our law keepers in the country,” the villagers said.

However it is understood that the OCS of Atori is currently said to be in Honiara doing procurement works for the Atori office whilst the other two officers are currently on compassionate leave.

Moreover according to PPC for Malaita province Timothy Apaesi, at the moment they have lesser number of police officers serving Malaita province.

“We understand that we have four police officers looking after the Atori police post last year but now we have only one officer manning the station. We need more police officers to look after the eastern part of Malaita rather than only four officers.

“The problem of posting more police officers to Atori is, there are only five resident houses for Police at Atori. One building is used for office work and the other four buildings are occupied by the four officers. If we have a good number of houses then more police officers will be posted to our police post.

“My office will be looking at increasing the number of officers depending on numbers we have here in Malaita.”

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