The government of Solomon Islands is continuing with its push to rearm its police force with the recent inclusion of the provincial constabulary in its attempts to reach out to communities on the issue.
The police force as well as militants were stripped of their weapons when the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission arrived in 2003.
Provincial Police Commanders met in Honiara last week for a briefing on what is being called the staged limited rearmament process.
ACP Gabriel Manelusi addressing the PPCs’ conference on the staged limited rearmament of the RSIPF (Photo by RAMSI Public Affairs) Photo: RAMSI Public Affairs
Phase one of the process includes community consultations, weapons training for small units withing the force and the construction of a new firing range and armoury.
The three areas to be armed are elements within the Police Response Team, the Close Personal Protection Unit and police responsible for security at international airports.