The new Solomon Islands Police Commissioner says he has no concerns that plans to re-arm two sections of the police will see weapons fall into the hands of criminals.
Jahir Khan has put in a budget proposal to the government for 2.6 million US dollars to purchase weapons for police patrol boats and the close protection unit.
However, civil society warned earlier this year that a vast majority of Solomon Islanders are opposed to government plans to re-arm police.
They say memories of police officers terrorising communities with weapons during the ethnic tensions are still fresh for many Solomon Islanders.
But, Mr Khan, says he has not heard any concern.
"I think it should be left to the Commissioner of Police in his judgement and his wisdom to decide if he wants his police officers to handle situations as he likes. I don't want people to draw inferences from the past because the status quo of Solomon Islands has completely changed - people seem to be very cordial, very normal. I don't think there should be any cause of concern by anybody."
