THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) review team met with Gizo Police and Provincial Disaster Operation Committee (PDOC) in Gizo, Western Province, this week.
The meeting as part of their review in relation to the COVID-19 operation that has been ongoing since April last year in the Shortland Islands.
A police statement said the meeting comprises of representative from respective sectors operated under the PDOC, these are Health, Education, National Disaster Committee, Save the Children, livelihood [Ministry of Agriculture], CSSI and RSIPF.
Assistant Commissioner (AC) National Capital and Crime Prevention Simpson Pogeava says the review team has been to the western border between Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea (SI-PNG) to assess how the RSIPF operation has impacted the communities with in the western border and to develop the next approach.
“By so doing, it will strengthen police operation for the betterment of this country in terms of security in assisting the Ministry of Health Medical Services (MHMS) of this health crisis,” Pogeava said.
“During the operations minor review has been made based on the intelligence reports and recommendations provided by the Commanders on the ground,” he added.
“However, our team were here for a full review that we have commenced for the past few days in Shortland Islands and Taro, Choiseul.
“Now we here in Gizo to meet with your team (PDOC) who is also one of the key stakeholders to the RSIPF COVID 19 Western Border Operations and have the oversight of the Western Province COVID 19 Response Operations.”
Pogeava thanked officers in Western Province policing as they are the ones overseeing the Shortland Islands and Choiseul Province for the support of deploying their officers to be part of the COVID-19 Operation at the border.
During a meeting with the PDOC in Gizo, Assistant Commissioner (AC) Evelyn Thugea says they want to hear comments, recommendations and honest feedback from the committee that will help the review team.
“Since we have been working together at the beginning of this operation your team has been on the ground observing what has been done concerning our contribution into this COVID-19 issue,” Thugea said.
“Critics will be more appropriate and important so we can step up to what the expectation of those concerned citizen here in the western border.”
Camp Managements Coordinator, Western Province Lizzy Wong during the meeting says they have their Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) when it comes to certain level of COVID-19.
“When we go out to the community isolations, we highly need police presence to provide safety for us,” Wong said.
“It will bring confidence to women and children living around the quarantine and isolation sites,” she added.
“I want to thank police for their support in terms of logistic and security.
“And we are looking forward for their continues support and work together for more upcoming events regarding this COVID-19 operation.”
Pogeava in return acknowledged the presence of PDOC and the effort they have put in to continue activate their committee.
“This demonstrates how concern we are about the health wellbeing of our people here in Western Province.
“Thank you for the issues raised that will enable us to improve in our border operation and will continue to give support to each other.”
–POLICE MEDIA
