BY IRWIN ANGIKI
Ian Vaevaso has been sworn in as the Commissioner of Police.
Yesterday’s swearing-in happened amid controversy surrounding Mr Vaevaso with Leader of Opposition labelling Vaevaso’s appointment as ‘a direct threat to accountability and public trust’.
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has issued a media release refuting the Opposition Leader’s statements.
Vaevaso, who was previously the Deputy Commissioner of National Security and Operations Support (NSOS) in the RSIPF, brings extensive experience to the top post, a statement by the Government Communications Unit (GCU) yesterday said.
“He holds a degree in policing from the University of the South Pacific and has served as Chief Superintendent and Assistant Commissioner, Crime and Intelligence in the RSIPF over many years.
“Notably, Vaevaso was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in June 2025 for his leadership and contributions to the RSIPF,” GCU said.
However, just a day before Vaevaso’s initiation Opposition Leader Matthew Wale issued a statement condemning Vaevaso’s appointment saying it ‘ignores serious allegations that Vaevaso was involved in the improper handling and destruction of seized illicit drugs’.
Mr Wale slammed the decision as a ‘gross failure of judgment’ and a dangerous signal that accountability can be brushed aside at the highest levels’.
He warned that going ahead with the appointment ‘while serious questions remain unresolved, undermines the rule of law and erodes confidence in the police’.
Wale called on the Governor General to ‘immediately halt the process’.
“It is about protecting the credibility of our institutions. No one under active investigation should be elevated to the top of law enforcement until the truth is fully established,” Wale said.
The controversy surrounding Vaevaso is rooted on allegations that he had overseen the improper disposal of evidence – methamphetamine and ketamine – dumping them in the sea in February 2024.
Another allegation is irregular storage evidence in which a leaked report from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) alleged that Vaevaso stored seized drugs in his private office for nearly a month without proper forensic oversight, creating opportunities for tampering.
Vaevaso was also accused of hostile or threatening language toward subordinates who questioned his methods.
A memo by the DPP said that there was ‘sufficient evidence to establish the criminal offence of abuse of office’ and recommended suspending Vaevaso pending investigation, In-Depth Solomons reported on March 31, 2026.
However, the Attorney General dismissed this matter saying there was insufficient evidence.
Vaevaso’s case remains a ‘bureaucratic stalemate’, the In-Depth Solomons report said.
Opposition Leader Wale in his statement on Thursday said the Attorney General’s intervention had cleared the way for Vaevaso’s appointment as Police Commissioner.
Meanwhile, how many and details of the applicants for the Commissioner job have not been disclosed publicly.
The process for appointing the Commissioner is a rigid constitutional procedure that involves several layers of government oversight, from initial screening to a final formal oath of office.
The final stages include a recommendation by the Prime Minister to the Governor General who acts on this advice and officially appoints the successful candidate.
Vaevaso was sworn in as new Commissioner of Police, with Governor General Sir David Tiva Kapu administering the oath at Government House.
The Governor General congratulated Vaevaso on his appointment and wished him well in his new role, GCU statement said.
Photo credit: GCU
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