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Law enforcement agency From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) is the national police force of Solomon Islands and in January 2015 had an establishment of approximately 1,153 officers and 43 police stations across the country.
Royal Solomon Islands Police Force | |
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Motto | To provide a safe and peaceful Solomon Islands by strengthening relationships with the community |
Agency overview | |
Formed | c. 1974[1] |
Preceding agencies | |
Jurisdictional structure | |
National agency | Solomon Islands |
Operations jurisdiction | Solomon Islands |
Governing body | Politics of Solomon Islands |
General nature | |
Operational structure | |
Headquarters | Honiara, Solomon Islands |
Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services responsible |
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Agency executive |
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Website | |
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Solomon Islands has no military organisation with this provided in the past by the abolished paramilitary wing of the RSIPF known as the Police Field Force (later Special Task and Rescue).[3][4] The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) withdrew in June 2017 handing full control of policing back to the RSIPF.[5]
The RSIPF is headed by the Commissioner for Police who report to the Minister of Police, National Security, Correctional Services. Historically, several Commissioners have been expatriates under contract. On 22 December 2006, an Australian Federal Police officer, Shane Castles, then serving as the Commissioner under a contract funded by the Australian government was declared by the Solomon Islands Government to be an "undesirable immigrant" while he was out of the country and was not allowed to return.[18]
The RSIPF structure includes two Deputy Commissioners. The Deputy Commissioner Operations manages the portfolios of 'National Capital and Crime Prevention' and 'Provincial Policing', both of which are supervised by Assistant Commissioners. The Deputy Commissioner National Security and Operations Support managed the portfolios of 'National Operations' and 'Corporate Support', again both of which are supervised by Assistant Commissioners.
The RSIPF Police Media Unit reports directly to the Chief of Staff. The RSIPF website, www.rsipf.gov.sb, was launched on 14 August 2015 and provides a range of information on RSIPF structure and units, as well as official publications including Annual reports.
The RSIPF Professional Standards and Internal Investigations Unit monitors police discipline and performance.
The Solomon Islands Government has approved the staged, limited rearmament of the RSIPF including the Police Response Team (PRT) and the Close Personal Protection (CPP) Unit.[19][20] In May 2017, the RSIPF was rearmed with pistols and shotguns with 125 officers from the PRT and CPP trained to use firearms.[21][22][23] In 2022, Australia donated sixty Daniel Defense MK18 rifles and provided training to PRT officers.[24][25]
Under the Police Act 2013, the RSIPF is also responsible for Fire services and maintains a Fire Service in Honiara and the major provincial capitals.
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Rank | Commissioner | Deputy commissioner | Assistant commissioner | Chief superintendent | Provincial Police Commander Chief superintendent |
Superintendent | Inspector | Staff sergeant | Sergeant | Constable |
The RSIPF Maritime Department provides the RSIPF's maritime capability and conducts operational patrols and patrols of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Solomon Islands Borders for fisheries, immigration and national security purposes. RSIPF Maritime operates the one Pacific-class patrol boat, RSIPV Auki (04), and the new Guardian-class patrol boat RSIPV Gizo (05). The Gizo replaced the other Pacific-class patrol boat, RSIPV Lata (03), when it was commissioned on 19 December 2019, and when the second Guardian-class vessel enters service in 2022, the Auki will presumably also be replaced and disposed of.
Australia started delivering Guardian class patrol vessels to replace the Pacific class vessels in 2018.[26] Australia committed to provide two new vessels to replace the RSIPF vessels. The then Police Commissioner Matthew Varley announced, on January 26, 2019, that expansion of the Police Force's mooring space, to accommodate the larger Guardian class vessels, would be undertaken in 2019.[27]
In 2020 and 2021, Australia provided a squadron of several 9.2 metres (30 ft) in-shore patrol craft.[28]
The MD acts as the SI's de facto navy.[29] In June 2023, MD officers were rearmed with Glock pistols.[30] In December 2023, the MD's two Guardian class patrol boats were armed with FN Herstal M2 12.7 mm (0.50 in) machine guns.[31][32][33]
Current Vessels | Origin | Class | Type | Notes |
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RSIPV Gizo (05) | Australia | Guardian Class | Patrol Boat | Commissioned 19 December 2019 |
RSIPV Taro (06) | Australia | Guardian Class | Patrol Boat | Commissioned 9 May 2021 |
Former Vessels | Origin | Class | Type | Notes |
RSIPV Lata (03) | Australia | Pacific Class | Patrol Boat | Replaced by RSIPV Gizo |
RSIPV Auki (04) | Australia | Pacific Class | Patrol Boat | Replaced by RSIPV Taro |
Name | Term of Office | Notes | |
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Start | End | ||
John Holloway | August 1975 | 1982 | |
Sir Fred Soaki | 1982 | 1995 | |
Morton Sireheti | 1995 | 1997 | |
Frank Short CBE | July 1997 | June 1999 | |
Rererangi Hika | 1999 | 2000 | |
Morton Siriheti | July 2000 | December 2002 | |
Bill Morrell (UK) | 28 January 2003 | March 2005 | [34][35] |
Shane Castles (AFP) | April 2005 | December 2006 | [35][36] |
(vacant) | December 2006 | 15 May 2007 | [36] |
Mohammed Jahir Khan (Fiji) | 15 May 2007 | May 2008 | [36] |
Peter Marshall (Acting) (NZ) | May 2008 | March 2009 | |
Peter Marshall | March 2009 | 7 February 2011 | |
Walter Kola (Acting) | 7 February 2011 | 2 May 2012 | |
John Lansley (UK) | 2 May 2012 | 2 May 2013 | |
Juanita Matanga (Acting) | 3 May 2013 | 29 August 2014 | |
Frank Prendergast (AFP) | 29 August 2014 | 25 January 2017 | [37] |
Matthew Varley (AFP) | 25 January 2017 | 29 November 2019 | [38] |
Mostyn Mangau (Acting) | 29 November 2019 | 22 July 2020 | |
Mostyn Mangau | 23 July 2020 | Present |
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