Frontline police numbers should remain untouched

By HELEN TUNNAH deputy political editor

The cost of sending police to the Solomon Islands could be met out of a special aid budget to restore law and order there.

The Herald understands that extra funding will be considered for police to maintain frontline numbers in New Zealand if up to 40 officers are sent to the virtually bankrupt Solomons.

Pacific Forum Foreign Ministers meeting in Sydney yesterday endorsed an Australia and New Zealand-led intervention force for the Solomons of hundreds of police and up to 2000 soldiers from the region.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza has asked neighbours for help to restore order, clean up corruption and disarm criminal groups, particularly around the capital, Honiara.

A special sitting of the Solomons' Parliament, scheduled for next Tuesday, will vote on ratifying the intervention, although there are fears Sir Allan will face opposition from political rivals and those opposed to ending corruption.

The Government last night declined to comment on whether there would be extra money for the police if the expected 35 to 40 officers are sent to the Solomons.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said after a Cabinet meeting yesterday that the impact on police here would influence the numbers sent to the Solomon Islands.

"We have ten there at the moment. You could double it, you could treble it," she said. "You go far beyond that, we'd be starting to be feel the pinch. Our first priority has to be policing of our own communities."

However, the Solomons were unable to resolve the law and order problem and help was needed from the region.

Police Association president Greg O'Connor hoped that if police were sent to the Solomons, they would not be paid for out of the regular policing budget.

"It's a contribution. You'd expect [that] to take 40 out of New Zealand they would be funded externally."

He said details about a police deployment remained vague, and there were some worries about security.

New Zealand is expected to significantly increase its $8 million aid budget to the Solomon Islands as part of the rescue package.

The Government announced money for 50 extra police for Auckland in the May budget, but opposition parties last night called for that money to be available immediately - not over the next two years - if officers were sent to the Solomon Islands.