Residents of the Rifle Range community came together with officers from the RSIPF and members of the RSIPF & AFP Policing Partnership Program (RAPPP) for a two-day celebration marking the Pacific Islands Forum.
The event was designed to bring people together through games, sports, and shared meals, while also creating a space for dialogue between community members and local police.
Residents were able to raise concerns directly with White River Police officers and discuss ways to address local issues.
Activities included volleyball, tug-of-war, football, and rugby, along with children’s games. A volleyball set and other sports equipment were presented to the community to encourage ongoing participation.
RAPPP provided meals of rice and sausages, which added to the festive spirit, and donated items such as hats, shirts, and water bottles amongst community members. RSIPF Chaplain Melden Hall attended to offer blessings and prayers for the community.
Recent RSIPF and RAPPP community events have reinforced that community engagement is a core principle of democratic policing in the Solomon Islands and around the world.
Such engagement brings multiple benefits, including stronger public understanding of safety, reduced crime and disorder, greater awareness of local issues, and improved trust between police and communities.
RAPPP Advisor Kevin Shaw thanked White River officers for their efforts in supporting the event.
Advisor Shaw said, “Community engagement isn’t just an add-on to policing; it’s at the heart of building safer and more resilient communities.
“When police and residents come together, we see trust grow, issues surface that might otherwise be hidden, and solutions are found that work for local people. That’s the essence of democratic policing, whether here in the Solomon Islands or anywhere else.”
Organizers said similar events will continue in other communities, providing opportunities for local people to speak openly with police, ask questions, and strengthen trust at the grassroots level.
– RSIPF
