22 Dec 2015

70 new police in Solomon Islands

8:03 am on 22 December 2015

The Solomon Islands police commissioner says 70 new officers who graduated yesterday are a welcome addition to the force going into Christmas and the New Year.

New graduates from the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Academy. December 2015

New graduates from the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Academy. December 2015 Photo: RNZI Courtesy of RSIPF

Speaking to his new charges at their first parade, Frank Prendergast urged them to carry out their duties faithfully and diligently and to uphold the law in an accountable and transparent manner.

The police minister, Stanley Sofu, told them he has every confidence in the force taking on the full responsibility of maintaining law and order as the Regional Assistance Mission prepares to leave in two years.

Nine of the 70 graduates were women.