Planning is now underway for the limited re-introduction of firearms to the Solomon Islands police.
The government recently approved a limited re-arming of officers, whose weapons were taken away in 2003 when the Regional Assistance Mission arrived.
The Solomon Star newspaper reports the commander of the Participating Police Force, Paul Osborne, as saying that as his body draws down its involvement it will begin a two phase limited re-armament programme for the local police.
The paper says this would include preparation and designing of a re-armament programme and training of several selected officers and divisions of the force.
Mr Osborne says this will include the close protection unit, airport police, the patrol boat crew and the police response team.