The commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force says he is not aware of any talks for a longer term Australian police presence in the country.
Photo: RNZI Koroi Hawkins
Frank Prendergast was responding to media reports that a permanent Australian Federal Police presence was being planned for after the departure of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands in June next year.
Mr Prendergast said as far has he was concerned ongoing talks regarding the future development of the Solomons police centre on a return to normal relations not only with Australia and New Zealand but also with police forces across the Pacific.
"What we are talking about is some fairly normal continued assistance with police development. I think as commissioner of the RSIPF I would welcome that support. It is really about bringing things back to the normal police to police relationships. I think what people have forgotten is that what is happening with RAMSI has been out of the ordinary and it was designed to respond to a specific situation. That situation is finished now."