8 Oct 2012

Solomons PM wants police in UN overseas missions

11:37 am on 8 October 2012

The Solomon Islands Government will pursue an offer by the United Nations for Solomon Islands police officers to join UN missions overseas.

The offer was made to the Prime Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo, when he attended the recent United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York.

Mr Lilo told the media he had been duly informed that there are places for Solomon Islands police officers to serve UN missions overseas and it is his hope that the government will pursue the offer next month.

Mr Lilo says the country needs the international experience and the remittances.

However, the acting police commissioner, Walter Kola, says while it would be great to have Solomon Islands police officers engaged at UN overseas missions, consultation is needed.

He says the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force doesn't have the numbers, and it won't be easy to fill the vacuum once officers are deployed overseas.