1000-plus cases, RSIPF find difficulty in disposing high profile cases
By EDDIE OSIFELO
THE two investigation departments with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) are finding it difficult to dispose high profile cases quickly.
This is because there are more than 1,000 cases before the National Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and 300-plus at the National Professional Standard Unit.
Commissioner of Police Mostyn Mangau said to investigate even one case is not easy because the officers have to get evidence to support the allegations.
Mangau said some of the evidences are also in the provinces so officers need to go out and collect them.
“For example, one officer has to deal with 64 cases,” Mangau told reporters yesterday.
“When the officer completes half of the cases, some more adds up on the pile of cases,” he added.
Further to that, Mangau said in terms of logging cases, police focus mainly on the criminal part of it.
He said there are other relevant laws that deal with logging like Forestry law and others.
“When we receive logging complaints, we need to analyse before getting approval from Director of Prosecution to proceed with the case,” he added.
Orion Limited General Manager, Chan Chee Min said he had submitted complaints against Solomon Forest Association (SFA) President Jonny Sy for a number of allegations in the logging industry to police last year, but still no outcome from their investigation.
Chan Chee Min accused the police of acting very slow in dealing with “big fish” like SFA leaders.
However, Mangau said police are very concerned about public confidence and trust in police when dealing with officers who break the law.
He said police have 1,500 officers and majority have done a good job to maintain the ethics of the force while only few have spoilt the reputation of the organisation.
