The acting Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police, Peter Marshall, and the commander of RAMSI’s Participating Police Force, Denis McDermott, held a joint press conference to express their concern over the incident.
Two RSIP officers and five RAMSI police officers were injured in the attack which occurred after police responded to a call for assistance from the Honiara settlement community of Koa Hill
Marshall said the attack was all the more despicable because the officers were carrying out normal police duties when they came under attack from people in the settlement using stones and sharpened sticks.
“No police officer should ever be subjected to this type of treatment,” Marshall said. “Police officers are here to serve the community and I am very disappointed that some members at the Koa Hill settlement turned on the officers.”
Marshall said he had ordered an immediate investigation into the incident in order to locate and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
“I am pleased to announce that three men in their mid-20’s have already been arrested in relation to the incident,” he said.
McDermott confirmed that RAMSI police had fired several warning shots.
“The officers that were attacked called for immediate back up after fearing they would be seriously injured,” McDermott said.
Additional security personnel from the RSIP, RAMSI PPF and RAMSI military contingent were then deployed to the area, he said.
“I am really shocked by the apparent disregard for the safety of the officers. This is not how the community normally responds to the police,” McDermott said.
