AFP helps celebrate a new future for Solomon Islands

Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Mick Keelty will personally acknowledge the efforts of Australian police and protective services officers involved with the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) during the celebrations of the Mission's one year anniversary.

Commissioner Keelty is travelling to Solomon Islands today and will join with other chiefs of police to participate in a range of community based events organised to celebrate the return of law and order to Solomon Islands and the outlook of a prosperous future.

On 24 July 2003 the first Hercules touched down in Solomon Islands marking the beginning of an Australian government initiative which would bring about a new environment of good governance and economic stability.

The Participating Police Force involves officers from Australia (208) and eight other pacific nations - New Zealand (35), Cook Islands (2), Samoa (10), Fiji (15), Tonga (12), Kiribati (5), Vanuatu (12), and Nauru (3).

"The mission in Solomon Islands has been history in the making and for the AFP officers involved, it has been a very challenging but rewarding experience," said Commissioner Keelty.

"It is in the interests of all Australians that we ensure that law and order prevails in our neighboring countries and the community can be proud of the professionalism demonstrated by the men and women of the AFP and what was formerly known as the Australian Protective Service.

"For our individual police and protective service officers involved in RAMSI, nothing can be more rewarding than knowing that they have helped change the destiny of a nation and brought hope, peace and prosperity to thousands of lives.

"I will be proud to see them join their colleagues from other Australian government agencies and overseas law enforcement agencies to celebrate the one year anniversary. Even more rewarding will be to see the men and women of the AFP celebrating the success of RAMSI with the people of Solomon Islands who have embraced change and opened their hearts to the Mission."

Commissioner Keelty said the results of RAMSI speak for themselves with over 3,700 firearms and 300,000 rounds of ammunition removed from the streets and nearly 3,000 people arrested and charged.

Professional standards investigations have also led to the arrest of 71 corrupt local police who have been charged with offences like murder, intimidation and official corruption.

"The long term aim of the mission, and the greatest challenge, is to help the Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIP) build their own capacity to deal with the crime and order issues of the future in a fair and effective manner," said Commissioner Keelty.

"The AFP will continue to help facilitate cultural change in the RSIP, providing ongoing mentoring and guidance and helping to build a strong rapport between the local police and the community they serve.

"When I talk with our people who have returned from deployment in the Solomon Islands, I am struck by their positive experiences in helping to provide an effective police service and building community confidence. These experiences will make them even better police as they return to their normal duties in Australia.

"The ongoing success of this mission and the lessons we have learned will be invaluable in planning for future missions such as the proposed deployment to Papua New Guinea later this year," said Commissioner Keelty.