Research on possible weapons for the limited rearmament of the Solomon Islands Police Force has been conducted.
RAMSI Police Protection Force Commander, Greg Harrigan said these will be further discussed with a project’s firearms working group before recommendations are made to the Acting RSIPF Commissioner and eventually the Solomon Islands Government.
Mr Harrigan confirmed a project plan for Phase 1 of the project has been completed and circulated to key stakeholders including the RSIPF and the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services.
He said besides the training aspect, scoping of the facilities required to secure weapons in the future has been conducted and draft plans provided to the RSIPF.
And he added once feedback is received, plans will be amended and quotes for construction will be obtained.
Mr Harrigan said following training and weapons selection, a demonstration will be held for Solomon Islands Government officials.
Meanwhile he said as part of the implementation of the project, various project groups (work streams) have been identified.
They include the community engagement working group, and the infrastructure and firearms working groups.
Membership of these groups is drawn from the RSIPF, the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Office of the Prime Minister and RAMSI.
A project oversight committee comprising representatives of the same organisations oversees the implementation of the project.
By George Atkin