Solomon Islands Police Commissioner, Morton Sireheti, says the police force stands united despite pressure from within militant groups to destabilize it.
He made the comments in response to allegations that a teenager was shot during the recent operation by police to seize a boat stolen by gunmen in the capital.
Commissioner Sireheti says the closer police gets to restoring law and order, the more desperate criminal elements become.
It is not known if anyone is being held for taking the ship.
The commissioner says former militants who have not disarmed are trying to cling to power through threats, violence and extortion.
Police had said the operation to recapture the boat was peaceful although tear gas was used to retake the ship.
