Vanuatu President, Baldwin Lonsdale, says current and future governments must make sure they maintain the neutrality of the Vanuatu Police Force.
The Vanuatu President Baldwin Lonsdale Photo: AFP/Toshifumi Kitamura
Father Lonsdale, speaking during the country's independence anniversary celebrations, said neutrality is vital if the Vanuatu Police Force and the Vanuatu Mobile Force, a para-military arm of the police, were to carry out their roles and responsibilities effectively.
Vanuatu's police force has experienced political interference over the years .
The search for a permanent police commissioner is continuing after a shortlist prepared last month was thrown out when the government sacked the head of the Police Service Commission.
That organisation handles the appointment process.