MINISTER for Police, National Security and Correctional Services Anthony Veke says police will continue to support the country’s fight against COVID-19.
Minister Veke during his 2021 Appropriation Bill 2021 Budget Speech in Parliament recently, said the fight against COVID-19 and ongoing operations at the western border remains top priority.
The Police Minister said despite budgetary limitations, he thanked the National Government for making positive improvements in terms of the Ministry’s development budget allocation, which has slightly increased from the 2020 revised development budget.
Minister Veke said the Development Budget will continue to progress infrastructure developments of the two disciplined agencies under his ministry.
“It will also support the rehabilitation and reintegration program of the correctional services, support the crime prevention strategy and upgrading of police CODAN radio project, and support to coordinate the whole of government approach, in the implementation of the national security and national border security strategies,” he said
Mr Veke said a per the government’s Re-Direction Policy, the ministry have a number of flagship policies.
Firstly, he said the Ministry is reviewing and updating laws and regulations relevant to law and order, criminal investigations, national security and parole.
Secondly, Minister Veke said another flagship policy is the implementation of the national security strategy and the national border security strategy with all stakeholders.
“This is to establish relevant mechanisms and frameworks including the establishment of the Institutional Intelligence Agency and increasing our support to border security in terms of infrastructures and ongoing deployments at the main border entry points,” he said.
Thirdly, Mr Veke said work has commenced in conducting reviews on the police and correctional academy with the aim to upgrade the current programs to offer recognized international qualifications in policing and correctional services.
“Fourthly, to develop the operations and capabilities of the RSIPF. This is to ensure that it has the capability to respond to and manage the security or serious criminal threats to Solomon Islands,” he said.
The Police Minister said another important aspect is to continue the review to improve the terms and conditions of service for police and corrections officers.
—PMO
