Corrupt police force big part of problem in the Solomons says Goff

Corrupt police are contributing as much to the breakdown of law and order in the Solomon Islands as the criminals who now largely control the country, says Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff.

New Zealand sent military armourers to collect weapons from warring factions in the Solomons last year and is considering sending in more armed police and troops to restore law and order.

Mr Goff said as fast as some of the high-powered weapons were handed in to the New Zealand military personnel corrupt police handed them back to rebels.

Senior police were corrupt or unreliable.

"The home-made weapons that were handed in have all been destroyed but the high-powered weapons from the police armoury in Rove have been redistributed.

"There are probably 700 or 800 high-powered weapons out in the community in the hands of people who have more often used their power for criminal purposes rather than law-making purposes.

"The problem is that the police have been part of the problem and not the solution. That is why you have had the breakdown in the rule of law."

- NZPA