BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Leader of the Opposition, Matthew Wale has voiced his disagreement over the Correctional Service of Solomon Islands (CSSI) and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), two-year probation framework.
Wale shared his concerns with the Ministry of Police, National Security & Correctional Service (MPNSCS) when they appeared before the Bills & Legislation Committee (BLC) on Wednesday this week.
Speaking during the hearing, Commissioner of Correctional Service Solomon Islands (CSSI), Mactus Forau, said the probationary period with the existing CSSI probation framework under section 12.2e and regulations 23 and 24, on clause 60 gives officers two years of probation upon enlistment.
Commissioner Forau said this is also the same with RSIPF.
He explained that this framework is different from promotion, which is six months and is covered under the CSSI and RSIPF regulations.
Commissioner Forau said that they have their probationary report submitted within a time frame to meet their competencies.
He told Wale that that is how they operate and opt to keep the framework.
“We have various duties, and we have to make these officers are competent in various roles we have in the organisation. Especially on the basic operation. Our current curriculum is framed that way.
“We have to attend. They will come after two years. That’s where they concluded and were awarded with a certificate in correctional practice,” said Mr Forau.
RSIPF Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau told Wale that it depends very much on the competency assessment after the retention and if they see fit.
“There are others who are slow learners, who will complete two years, others will complete probation,” said Mangau.
In response, Mathew Wale said that two years seems unreasonable.
“It should just be six months. Even six months is long. Come on, this is unreasonable. You employ people, get them to work. Six months, you know whether they’re up to it or not.
“This is unreasonably long. My what. That’s unfair. So, you’re saying you want to keep those two years, or you want to come to this provision, trial probation. This may override your two years,” Wale stressed.
Wale said that this is a cruel act.
He said the matter of competence is something that is built right throughout a career.
“That is to say, after two years, you’re competent. But that’s not the case. There are new things we’re learning all the time. If the probation period is only to assess competence, then I think it’s a false premise,” said Wale.
When Wale asked what the level of an officer is after the two years’ probation, Mr Forau said that it is level-five and after the completion of two years, comes level six.
In response, Wale suggested that they shorten the probation period and offer a better pay for the officers.
“Hey, man. You’re killing them.
“You’re not paying them well. I don’t believe you can continue with this, both commissioners. You really need to make a case to shorten that probation. Or if you want to keep it for competency’s sake, but at least pay them better,” said Wale.
The Opposition Leaders also raised that while this may be okay for single men it is not for a family man.
He questioned whether this was a test for the officers.
“I think single men should be okay, but not for a family man. They are struggling,” said Wale.
“Or is that part of the test? Do they have to struggle?” Wale questioned.
He pointed out to that this is something they must address as these are men we rely on as our disciplined forces.
“You both must address it. This is the First time I heard of this. I’m sorry for them. They are men we will rely on disciplined forces. We need to be paying them much, much better than that. We can’t treat people like that,” Wale said.
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