Solomon Islands: New Commissioner very likely to privately favour China over traditional partners

On 24 April, Ian Vaevaso was appointed Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF). During the ceremony, Commissioner Vaevaso pledged to strengthen community safety, build public trust, and promote shared responsibility for security through increased collaboration with both local communities and international partners. From 2020, Commissioner Vaevaso served as Deputy Commissioner (DC) for National Security and Operations Support (NSOS), and earlier as Assistant Commissioner for Crime and Intelligence. As DC NSOS, Commissioner Vaevaso has been involved in training and assistance provided by various arms of China’s police, including public order management training, close protection training, and leading delegations to the Fujian Police College in China. In 2022, he provided the official RSIPF public refutation of media reports that the China-Solomon Islands security pact would divide the force. More recently, Commissioner Vaevaso was implicated in the improper disposal of evidence when he dumped seized methamphetamine into the ocean in 2024, including intimidating officers and lying to investigators. In 2025, the Director of Public Prosecutions recommended formal charges over the incident which have never materalised. 

Assessment: While Commissioner Vaevaso’s positive statements toward China’s police assistance were a necessary function of his previous role, no similar body of supportive statements exists for traditional partners, such as New Zealand and Australia. One exception is positive comments for support provided by the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary. Commissioner Vaevaso is likely to continue to accept support from all partners, but is likely to privately favour support from China, and is more likely to offer public criticism of traditional partners where he perceives their influence is paternalistic or condescending. With regard to the current political stand-off, Commissioner Vaevaso has stated publicly that the RSIPF remains neutral. However, leader of the opposition, Matthew Wale, publicly criticised Commissioner Vaevaso’s recent appointment as a “gross failure of judgement,” which likely indicates there will be personal and professional tension if the opposition comes to power.

Sources: “Mr. Vaevaso new Commissioner of police,” Solomon Islands Government Portal, 24 April 2026; “PRIME MINISTER WELCOMES NEW POLICE COMMISSIONER, CALLS FOR DISCIPLINE AND REFORM,” Solomon Islands Government Portal, 30 April, 2026; “RSIPF rebut an article publish on media over the weekend with the title ‘Security pact could split RSIPF,’” RSIPF Press, 4 April 2022; Charley Piringi, “A Solomon Islands Police Officer Was Investigated for Dumping Meth in the Sea. Now He’s Poised to Become Commissioner,” In-depth Solomons, 31 March 2026; Ronald Toito’ona and Charley Piringi, “Solomon Islands Appoints Police Chief Who Was Investigated Over Missing Drugs,” OCCRP, 24 April 2026.