19 Aug 2002

Solomons civil society calls for enquiry into police

4:24 pm on 19 August 2002

The Solomon lslands Civil Society Network wants an enquiry into the police force to try and isolate the serious problems affecting its performance.

The Network, which met last week in Munde, also says the Government must consult and involve civilian organisations in law and order issues.

It also wants all special constables demobilized and all arms still in the community retreived.

It has also called for an independent commissioner to replace the retiring Morton Sireheti - such a person it says, is likely to come from overseas.

Bob Pollard of the Network says there has been some ecent improvement in the police's performance, but serious problems remain and an enquiry might be the best way of moving forward.

"we as the Civil Society aren't necessarily experts in terms of the law and order, but are conscious that there are serious problems and maybe one way of moving forward would be to have an inquiry which would identify what really are the issues within the police that need to be reformed"

Bob Pollard.

The Network has reiterated an earlier call for a Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Process to aid healing, nation building and national unity.