DC Matanga visit Malu’u Police Station followed by a brief discussion with police officers

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Operations of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force, Ms Juanita Matanga had visited Maluu Police Station as part of her provincial tour in Malaita Province to give moral support to frontline police officers.

DC Matanga who was accompanied by the Malaita Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Leslie Kili had a muster with the police officers at Malu’u Police station to discuss different policing issues.

Some issues highlighted during the meeting were logical support in terms of sea and land mobility to do effective policing in the Northern region of Malaita Province as the Police vehicle and boat had broken down.

Other issue also discussed during the muster is manpower for Malu’u Police station. Since the population in the northern region is growing very fast and the policing areas where Malu’u Police officers were obliged to look after is very big, there is a need for increase in manpower to do daily police business.

In respond to the officer’s concerns, DC Mantanga says, “First of all, let me acknowledge all your good work to keep Malu’u police station running. It is not easy to do policing without logistical support.”

She says, “As support is under way to rectify issues with the logistics to move officers to attend to reports, I guess at this point of time community engagement is very important. As officers, it is very important to work closely with the communities. I am sure some people in the communities and our leaders are willing to work with us, as they are our stallholders.”

Malaita Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Leslie Kili says, “The issue here is manpower as I am liaising with Honiara based office to send an Inspector and a Staff Sergeant to manage the station, and we will work together to look at possibilities of increasing manpower, but it depends much on availability of house for our officers to come and work here at Malu’u station.”

The visiting team also have a privilege in engaging with Arnon Atomea school teaching staff. During the discussion, they also raised some issues that need improvement in terms of policing at Malu’u.

Officers discussed with DC Matanga on different issues

Police officers at Maluu welcoming the arrival of DC Matanga and team

Some female teachers of Arnon Atomea school who are present during the meeting.

Staff of Arnon Atomea School.

-RSIPF Press