By Loretta B Manele
Tribal chiefs of Marodo from the northern region of Malaita province are calling on their new Provincial Police Commander (PPC) to listen to the cries of their people and empower the community crime prevention team.
This is according to Reverend Earnest Wasimanu, who spoke to the paper on Monday this week.
In 2020, the Sasava community police was established as well as the crime prevention team with the presence of Stanley Riolo, the then PPC for Malaita province along with his team.
It was during Riolo’s leadership when community policing was established throughout the northern region of Malaita including communities of Sulagwalu, Afenakwai, Foufanea, Manaoba, Sasafa, Sulufou island, Uritao, Manabeu, Saua, Ferasubua, Ata’a and Fourau.
During this period, the presence of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) officers in collaboration with the local community police team brought about peace and harmony to the community for 2 solid years.
However, the chiefs said the government had recalled PPC Riolo back to the headquarter.
Come 2023, they have a new PPC, Lesley Kili and since then they have never seen him or his team in the communities till today.
“So, these communities were really sad during the years of 2023 and 2024”.
Also stated is that the cries communities for assistance from these communities to deal with crimes during the two years Kili was in office fell on deaf ears.
They mentioned that the common excuses they were told was there were problems with their vehicle and bad weather.
Mentioned as well is that the breakdown in communication in regards to collaboration between RSIPF and the local community prevention team resulted in crimes escalating beyond measure.
Now in 2025, there is a new PPC, Tex Tafoa and the communities look forward to having the channel of communication restored.
Representatives from each community have recently met with PPC Tafoa and strongly urge those in charge of each community to appoint their crime prevention teams.
The chiefs have seen Tafoa begin his duty and are now ready to work with him and his officers to empower the community crime prevention team so as to address and restore law and order back to the communities.
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