Australian and Solomon Islands officials have met in Honiara to push forward the RSIPF Expansion Program, including plans for a new Police Academy and provincial police posts. The two countries are working to deliver programs and infrastructure that will further strengthen the development of a sovereign, capable and confident RSIPF.
Senior officials at the talks affirmed that the RSIPF Expansion Program and the Police Academy would be transformational for Solomon Islands’ security, with benefits both domestic and regional. The program reflects the Pacific-led concept of security set out in the Biketawa and Boe Declarations, with funding, training and infrastructure designed to strengthen Solomon Islands’ sovereign security capabilities within this regional framework.
The meeting was co-chaired by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Karen Galokale, and Australia’s High Commissioner, Jeff Roach. Both highlighted the strong momentum and commitment driving implementation.
“Both Solomon Islands and Australia share a common vision and are continuing to make progress on this project,” PS Galokale said. “Today’s discussions have set a clear direction for the RSIPF Academy, which will be a lasting legacy for the next 50 years of Solomon Islands’ history.”
PS Galokale noted the calm and reassuring role played by the RSIPF during recent national challenges, such as Tropical Cyclone Maila, demonstrating the central role of the RSIPF in both national security and nation-building.
“I am pleased that today we made some important advancements together in our shared program to expand the RSIPF. This work is about the future of the RSIPF and the goals of the Solomon Islands Government and its National Security Strategy,” High Commissioner Roach said.
Implementation meetings occur every two months, bringing together senior officials to drive delivery of the commitment made between the Solomon Islands and Australian governments in December 2024. Last week’s discussions focused on progressing the design of the new Police Academy, where Solomon Islands’ priorities and operational requirements remain central.
Ahead of the meeting, a small contingent of Australian and Solomon Islands officials visited Lambi on Guadalcanal’s west coast to survey the site of a new police post. The Lambi Post will be the first of many new provincial police sites delivered under the program.
Article source: solomontimes.com | Image credit: Al Jazeera
