THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force yesterday welcomes their 13th Police Commissioner.

Mathew Varley from Australia is taking over from the outgoing Commissioner, Frank Prendergast.

Mr Varley said he is proud to have the opportunity to serve the people of Solomon Islands as their new police commissioner to lead the RSIPF.

“I am a career police officer and I am passionate about community policing. I have served as a general duties patrol officer on the street, I have commanded police stations and I have also led and managed crime prevention and community relations programmes.

“I trust that my experiences give the Government and community of Solomon Islands confidence that I understand the challenges of community policing and crime prevention.

“However, as I have said to all my senior officers so far, I will not be shy in asking many questions on local crime issues to learn as much as I can about the Solomon Islands context,” Mr Varley said.

He also acknowledges the support from his and family in taking up the role as RSIPF Commissioner that without their support and encouragement; it would not have been possible to achieve the goal and to be here.

“But with Solomon Islands adopting us and this becoming our new home, you can be assured of my commitment to making this a safer community, because it is now my community too,” Mr Varley added.

He said that even though he is new to the RSIPF, he has been impressed by the organisation’s achievements under the helm of Mr Prendergast.

These feats include the following:

• The design and implementation of the new Crime Prevention Strategy positions the RSIPF to partner with local communities to actively and cooperatively address the drivers of crime and seeks to solve local problems before crime occurs;

 

• The creation of a new organisational capability plan will guide organizational investment, training and technology development for years to come;

 

• The implementation of crucial legislative reforms, such as the Family Protection Act, equips the RSIPF to reduce violence and make the community safer;

 

• And indeed, our RSIPF officers are now deploying to train and support foreign police forces in other parts of the world.

He also said many people would have previously thought that these achievements were impossible, or that the RSIPF was not capable of such things.

“I am pleased to say those people were wrong,” Mr Varley said.

Mr Varley also reminded his fellow officers in the RSIPF that the future of the force – its performance, reputation and capability – “rests with us collectively”.

“Believe in yourselves and your ability as a team to achieve our mission. Together, we will drive the RSIPF forward.

“I ask you to wear your uniform proudly each day – because it represents the authority and trust the community has placed in you and the honour and good traditions of the RSIPF.

“I ask you to perform your roles diligently, faithfully and work hard to the best of your ability, because your work at every level of the organisation is important – each of you, from patrol constable to commissioner, is building our vision of an efficient, capable and responsive police force,” Mr Varley added.

He also encourages members of the RSIPF to engage with each other and every member of the community with professionalism, courtesy and sense of service because respect can only earn with professionalism.

Mr Varley said RSIPF mission is to provide a safe, secure and peaceful Solomon Islands and thus the task ahead is not easy but officers must prepare to meet the challenges.

“I am proud today to lead the RSIPF and serve its officers and the community,” Mr Varley added.

The occasion was held at the Rove Police Club.