RSIPF appeals to drivers to report traffic officers who demand fine on the spot to PSII

The Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) is appealing to taxi drivers to report traffic police officers who demand a fine on the spot to report it to the Professional Standard Internal Investigation (PSII) of RSIPF.

Supervising Director PSII, Inspector Lawrence Iko said this appeal came after a taxi driver went to the media instead of reporting the matter to the PSII over the weekend.

Iko said it is wrong for a police officer to ask a taxi driver for a fine on the spot. The process is there for any expired vehicles to go through especially on payments of vehicle licenses.

He said traffic officers enforce the traffic law but when it comes to payments, vehicle owners have to go to the Inland Revenue to do the payment but not fine on the spot.

Iko said it is good for taxi drivers to have in mind that when any police officer stops and approaches them on the road they have the right to ask the name of that officer and other details. This will help PSII to identify those officers and deal with them.

He said that officers do have the obligation to identify themselves if and when approaching any members of the public.  “But if the officer did not identify him or herself then the person they are approaching has the right to know who he or she is?,” Iko said.

He said for awareness purposes, if you offer cash to that police officer it is an offence and if that officer accepts that offer from you it is an offence as well.

“Both are bribery offenses for accepting and receiving which both can be liable for imprisonment,” Iko stated.

PSII office is located at the back of Honiara Central Police Station or you can call them on phone 24107 or 24108 and report any ill practices by RSIPF officers.