Solomons police force confident of stability as troops depart

The woman in charge of the Solomon Islands police force says the departure of the military from the country won't threaten stability there.

The Regional Assistance Mission, or Ramsi, is starting to pull out. And while local police say they've got the situation under control, some residents aren't convinced.

Riot police had to fend off an angry mob in the capital, Honiara ? it looked like a real scenario, but was actually an orchestrated exercise to show off the skills of local officers.

The country's acting top cop says she has confidence in her colleagues.

"If you look at how the Solomon Islands police have progressed over the past 10 years, there have been a lot of significant changes," says Royal Solomon Islands Police Force acting commissioner Juanita Matanga.

Ten years ago, the police force was disorganised, and corruption within it was rife. Police were part of the problem when violence broke out between rival militia in 1998. Troops from around the Pacific intervened five years later.

But now they're leaving and locals on the street told 3 News they're worried about their safety. But Ms Matanga doesn't share their concern.

"We don't look at it as a problem, as a threat," she says. "We look at the gaps. What gaps do we have if they leave and how we can strengthen on it?

"We have seen chaos. We have seen anarchy in this country. Do we want to go that path? I don't think so."

The Government's now in the process of deciding who should head the police. Traditionally, the position has gone to experienced expatriates.

New Zealand police commissioner Peter Marshall was there for four years and says it's time a local was put in charge.

"It's a decision for the Solomon Islands Government, but at some stage they will have to have a Royal Solomon Islands police officer as commissioner," says Mr Marshall.

Seventeen New Zealand police, and officers from other pacific nations, will remain in a mentoring role for the next four years.

Ms Matanga says the Solomon Islands still lack political integrity, and one of the biggest police operations looking ahead will be the general election next year.

3 News

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