Police

The Australia-led force was deployed in 2003 after five years of ethnic tensions during which hundreds of people were killed, and thousands forced to flee their homes.

RAMSI has been gradually withdrawing its presence throughout the country as the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force takes control of frontline policing.

The RAMSI force commander, Greg Harrigan, says the police force in Malaita has proven it can maintain law and order without frontline assistance from RAMSI.

The president and two other women are facing a charge of attempting to defeat the course of justice.

The charges were brought following an inquiry after a police assault case was withdrawn three years ago.

A senior police officer, who has been suspended, had been charged separately in relation to the same case, but the prosecution wants both cases heard together.

The police spokesperson, Superintendent Su'a Muli'ga Tiumalu, says the trio will appear for mention in the District Court next Tuesday.

The police last week charged the president, Siliniu Lina Chang, as a result of an internal inquiry after a police assault case was withdrawn three years ago.

Meanwhile, a senior police officer has also been charged separately in relation to the same case.

According to TMZ -- who posted an alleged video of the incident -- law enforcement sources said that “speed was a factor, but Justin was cited for unsafe passing on the right.” He reportedly was given an equipment violation for window tint as well. 

Niue's chief of police, Tony Edwards, says there have been reports of emails trying to scam people in Niue to provide personal information and send money overseas.

He says these types of scams are a common problem in the Pacific, and Niue police have been out in the community raising awareness about the issue.

Tony Edwards says they've been teaching people how to recognise the scams and are telling them to report it to the police.

The inmates escaped from one of the prison cell blocks last Saturday night after drilling a hole in a concrete wall.

They were recaptured by police after two days on the run.

The police spokesperson, Su'a Muli'aga Tiumalu, says the temporary security assistance will enable the police to share their experience after managing Samoa's prisons for many years.

Last year the Government set up a separate division to run the prison service.