28 Jul 2011

Call for new Solomons police commissioner to be chosen on merit

7:34 pm on 28 July 2011

A civil society leader in Solomon Islands says the country is ready for an indigenous police commissioner provided they have the right qualifications for the role.

The government is considering candidates to be new commissioner following the departure of New Zealander Peter Marshall from the role earlier this year.

The Solomons force hasn't had an indigenous commissioner for nearly a decade.

Bob Pollard, who works for Transparency International Solomon Islands, says he doesn't see any problems with appointing a local person as police commissioner, on merit.

"It's really just a question of having someone who is going to be able to really take the country forward in terms of law and order because we've got a long way to go. We'd be fooling ourselves if we think everything's fine. If we look back at the previous conflict, it was poor leadership that led us into that conflict. It's going to be a major challenge for anyone who takes up that job."

Bob Pollard