by Ronald Toito’ona
Commissioner of Police Ian Vaevaso has confirmed that certain members of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) deployed to the Solomon Islands have been disarmed and stood down following a violent confrontation east of Honiara.
The officers are currently awaiting travel arrangements to be flown back to Papua New Guinea after allegedly threatening a local resident with a firearm.
The Tenaru Incident
The disciplinary action follows a serious incident that occurred near the Tenaru second bridge between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm on Sunday, May 10.
According to eyewitness accounts, four RPNGC members were traveling in an unmarked Hilux when they collided with a civilian vehicle that had stopped to give way to oncoming traffic.
“The officers appeared to be intoxicated. Upon exiting their vehicle and identifying themselves as PNG police, they allegedly assaulted a civilian and uttered abusive language.
“They also threatened to shoot members of the public with a gun. They also violated traffic rules before driving away toward Honiara City,” one eye witness told In-depth Solomons.
The incident left the public in shock, with many questioning whether the contingent was in the country to uphold law and order or engage in criminal behavior.
Official Response and Accountability
In a Police Media Conference on Thursday, Commissioner Vaevaso stated that he immediately raised the matter with the contingent commander after the report of a firearm being used against a local reached him.
He noted that while he has not yet received a full report, the PNG authorities responded swiftly by removing the officers from active duties.
The Commissioner confirmed that actions have been taken.
“The involved officers have been disarmed and removed from active service. These officers have paid compensation to the local residents involved,” Vaevaso said.
“The contingent leadership is treating the matter very seriously and so do I, as they arrange for the officers’ return to PNG,” the Police Commissioner added.
Deployment Context
The RPNGC personnel were part of a deployment intended to support the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in maintaining law and order, as well as assisting with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations following Tropical Cyclone Maila.
Eyewitnesses pointed out that the officers’ conduct failed to reflect the official purpose of their mission in the country.
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