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///