Tonga Police's final contingent to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) returned to Tonga when the 14-years regional peacekeeping mission ended on 30 June in Honiara.

The final contingent of two police officers, was headed by Lau’aitu Tupouniua Sherman with Police Constable ‘Inoke Vaka, who completed six-months deployment.

Police Commissioner Stephen Caldwell and Deputy Commissioner Pelenatita Vaisuai attended the event in Honiara, representing the Tongan Government.

A total of 120 Tongan police officers, including seven prison officers and four fire officers have been deployed to RAMSI since its launch in 2003, providing support for enforcement of law and order on the island, while assisting capacity building to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.

Tonga’s military deployment to RAMSI ended in July 2013.

RAMSI was a partnership between the people and Government of the Solomon Islands and 15 countries of the Pacific who arrived in July 2003 led by Australia, at the request of the Solomons to provide this support for enforcement of law and order.

Commander Brisbane Lokotu from His Majesty’s Armed Forces and Leonaitasi Kuluni from Tonga’s High Commission in Canberra attended the farewell event.