By Jeremiah Lloyd Dauara
ONE of the primary responsibilities of a police officer is to do formal investigations into criminal and civil cases and write formal statements or reports.
This responsibility, of course, requires a good knowledge and understanding of the English Language.
These are the sentiments expressed by Inspector Clive Talo, the officer in charge of Recruit, Training and Probationary Constable Programme at the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF).
“As the officer in charge of the recruit and training programme, I noticed that most of the new recruits did well in other training programmes except the English language, especially essay writing and dictation.
“This prompted me to consult my Advisor for approval to include English Grammar Course into the Police Academy training,” Inspector Talo said.
“When my superiors asked me to recommend an institution, I recommended Islands Bible Ministries (IBM) English Grammar Courses without any hesitation because I was a graduate at IBM and have seen the high level of grammar training offered there,” Talo added.
According to Dr Alpheaus Zobule, Director of Islands Bible Ministries, the request from Inspector Talo and RSIPF to engage IBM to teach English Grammar at the RSIPF Police Academy was gracefully considered.
“One of our core visions is to teach professional Solomon Islanders proper English Grammar,” said Dr. Zobule.
“To teach the newly recruited Police Officers is truly an honour,” he affirmed. There are seventy students and the students have been divided into two classes. The classes are organized on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3pm to 5pm.
According to Miriam Zeke, another IBM teaching staff, the students have successfully completed their first course and are now doing their second course.
Dr. Zobule stated that he was really impressed with the officers’ eagerness and commitment to learn English Grammar.
He added that the students worked so hard to ensure that they attend classes, actively participate in class discussions and complete their given assignments.
“I can confidently say that these police officers are well trained, well organized and well-disciplined in their training,” Dr Zobule said.
According to Francis Wickham, a male student officer, the English Grammar Course is very helpful. “This Grammar Course has helped us to understand English well. More so, it helps to prepare us for our police duties especially in writing reports, statements and other official work documents,” said Officer Wickham.
“Furthermore, I noticed that most of my colleagues have started speaking English at the barracks, something that you would hardly hear from typical Solomon Islanders,” added Wickham. “This is obviously the impact of this English Grammar Course,” he concluded.
For Albrina Suala Manier, a female student, this training is an eye opener. “This training helps me to improve my English Grammar and writing skills. Although some of the concepts are challenging, I see the benefits for my career as a police officer and keep striving to learn them,” said officer Manier. Both Wickham and Manier expressed joy in learning English Grammar and they credit their lecturers Dr. Alpheaus G. Zobule, Mrs Miriam Zeke and Mr Solomon Wara for the professional work in transferring the knowledge to all the newly recruited police officers.
