The first 20 officers from the Honiara City Council’s Law Enforcement Division have begun a three-day Public Order Management (POM) training on Thursday, 6th November 2025, at the Multi-Purpose Hall.
The training is facilitated by the Chinese Police team to strengthen officers’ skills in maintaining peace and public safety.
Councillor and Chairman of the Law Enforcement Committee, Cr. Rolland Konai expressed his deep appreciation to the Chinese Police Team for dedicating their time and expertise to support the Honiara City Council’s Law Enforcement Division.
He said the partnership marks a major step forward in improving the capacity, professionalism, and discipline of HCC’s Law Enforcement officers.
Cr. Konai emphasized that such collaboration not only enhances the operational skills of officers in managing public order effectively but also builds mutual understanding and cooperation between the two institutions.
He added that this joint effort reflects the shared commitment to maintaining peace, safety, and good governance within Honiara City.
Cr. Konai highlighted that through continued training and partnerships, HCC aims to ensure a safer, more peaceful, and better-governed Honiara for the benefit of all residents.
PPC Mr. Jimson Robo has highlighted the importance of strengthening the Honiara City Council’s Law Enforcement Division, emphasizing key focus areas including professionalism, responsibility, and partnership.
He explained that these values are essential for building an effective, disciplined, and community-focused team capable of maintaining peace and public safety across Honiara City.
Mr. Robo stressed that by fostering accountability, teamwork, and strong cooperation with community members and other stakeholders, the Law Enforcement Division can better carry out its duties.
He encouraged officers to embrace these principles in their daily work to ensure a safer, well-managed, and orderly city for all residents.
Deputy City Clerk, Mr. Jefferson Patovaki, said that Public Order Management is one of the most important responsibilities of the Council.
He explained that effective public order management allows the city to function smoothly, ensuring that markets are well-regulated, traffic is orderly, and the public can live and work in a safe and peaceful environment.
“Public Order Management reflects our collective commitment to peace, safety, and discipline in our communities,” Mr. Patovaki said.
“The Council’s policy is to strengthen its Law Enforcement Division by equipping officers with the right tools, skills, and support to carry out their duties effectively. A strong and capable law enforcement team is vital for ensuring public order and protecting the welfare of our citizens.”
Mr. Patovaki also shared that as part of HCC’s ongoing efforts, exposure training through attachments and deployments will be organized in the near future.
These initiatives will allow officers to gain practical experience and knowledge to better manage public order situations.
“With this training, our officers are better equipped with the relevant knowledge on Public Order Management. Use it wisely and responsibly for the safety and well-being of all,” he said.
He further highlighted that the Council’s governance and management are committed to providing the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to support the safety, confidence, and capacity of law enforcement officers while on duty. Mr. Patovaki also expressed appreciation to donor partners who continue to show willingness to assist in strengthening this important area of the Council’s work.
Law Enforcement Director, Mr. Robert Madeo, also extended his sincere thanks to the Chinese Police Team for facilitating the training program.
He said this is the first time for the Honiara City Council Law Enforcement Team to undergo such specialized training.
“We started with the first cohort of 20 officers. There will be three groups in total from our Law Enforcement Division, which means two more groups are yet to undergo the same training,” Mr. Madeo explained. “This training is a great opportunity for our officers to improve their professionalism and skills in managing public order situations effectively.”
Meanwhile, Cr. Konai emphasized that maintaining public order is not just about enforcing rules; it is about safeguarding the dignity of the city, protecting people, and promoting peace and development for a better Honiara.
“Together, through teamwork, discipline, and dedication, we can ensure a safer and more orderly city for everyone,” he said.
– HCC
