Unhappy subordinates lashes out
BY GEORGINA KEKEA
A resident at the married quarter of the Royal Solomon
Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has decided to come out to the media to spill the
beans on what is happening within the RSIPF. The resident who wants to remain
anonymous says he is not happy that the Officer in Charge of the RSIPF Infrastructure
Unit had been tasked to order them not to sell betel nut and cigarettes and to
remove their market stalls. On top of that, he said they were also reprimanded
for selling kwaso and marijuana, illegal items they deny selling.
The complainant said they were quite upset that the Officer issuing
this order is not free from blame himself and needs to clean his own backyard
first before disallowing sub-ordinates on certain issues within the RSIPF. He
questions if the Police Commissioner knows what his officers are up to.
An officer carrying out civic duties (Photo RSIPF) |
“Under the Police Act in General Orders, officers are
disallowed from doing business but the Officer in charge who had been pin
pointing us, has a public bus currently doing business in Honiara. Even the
officer is involved in scrupulous dealings similar to that of our former
Permanent Secretary. He has a construction business registered under a
different name which is now doing maintenance work for the RSIPF both in
Honiara and the provinces. Off duty police officers drove taxis and public
buses, which the Police Act disallows. And the Officer in Charge of the
Infrastructure unit is hell bent on sub-ordinates who are struggling to make a
living on mere informal market outlets while they continue with their
scrupulous dealings in the RSIPF unbeknown to the Commissioner’, the
complainant claimed.
The complainant says he wants the Police Commissioner to
know that there are issues within the RSIPF which is worst then selling betel
nut and cigarettes including ring cake.
“Rather than talk about the minor things, they should also
talk about the deteriorating state of our living quarters. The leakage in soak
holes, septic tanks that are detrimental to our health”.
The complainant say they also deplore a statement issued to
them by the Officer in Charge via email, claiming officers within the living
quarters are also selling marijuana and kwaso.
“We want him to identify who within the married quarter is
selling marijuana and kwaso? If he knows the person selling marijuana and
kwaso, why didn’t he use his police power to come and arrest the people said to
sell these illegal items”.
With that, the RSIPF Media unit says RSIPF is committed to upholding the
professional reputation of the Police Force and this includes good order and
discipline around police residential quarters. In the past, the RSIPF had been
publicly criticized for poor standards of discipline by off duty officers and
relatives at police housing quarters.
The RSIPF has policies concerning management of its assets
and this specific case, management of its housing estates both at the Rove
Police Headquarters and throughout the country”.
The statement said in 2016, a Commissioner’s Directive
issued stipulated that there will be no sale of betel nut or any other food
stalls at any police housing quarters, premises or police offices. It is also a
disciplinary offence under the Police Act for any police officer to possess or
consume betel nut on any police premises.
“It is not appropriate for betel nut stalls to be erected on
police property, including housing”.
The statement in response continued to say that in response
to various complaints, recent action was taken by senior RSIPF officers to
address some betel nut stalls and other issues affecting the good order and
reputation of the police housing complex at Rove.
The statement also denied making reference to the sale of
marijuana as claimed by the complainant.
“The email circulated recently issuing instructions about
betel nut stalls and other issues at police housing did not make any reference
to the sale of marijuana. The RSIPF has not received any complaints or
information that marijuana is being sold at police quarters and has no evidence
to suggest this is occurring”.
The RSIPF media unit also encourages anyone with evidence to
prove that a police officer is contravening these directives to report it to
the Office of the Commissioner or to Professional Standards and Internal
Investigation (PSII).
“Any allegations of misconduct against any senior police
officer should also be reported in the same manner. The RSIPF has proven in the
past that it will take appropriate action against officers should they be found
guilty of contravening any disciplinary regulation”.
Meanwhile the complainant say he decides to come to the
media because issues raised by subordinates are often side tracked and were not
always addressed by the Executive.
However, it is understood that any allegations made against
any officer, must also have proven evidence. The RSIPF media unit encourages
that officers follow the proper procedures and processes as stated earlier.
“Allegations must be proven with evidence”.
It is understood that the Ministry and Police Infrastructure
Department are currently implementing a plan to renovate RSIPF residential
houses at Rove and will continue to the provinces depending on the availability
of funding.
Moreover, the RSIPF reiterates its endeavor to maintain good
discipline and high standards of professionalism at its police housing estates
as well as its offices and other premises.
“The RSIPF strives to maintain hygienic and safe conditions
at its residential houses as well as its offices throughout Solomon Islands”.
ENDS///
Comments
Post a Comment