No NZ police officers involved in solomons shooting

No New Zealand Police officers were involved in a shooting incident which resulted in the death of an Australian member of the Participating Police Force near Honiara yesterday.

"NZ Police have extended our condolences to the Australian Federal Police concerning the fatal shooting of one of their staff serving with the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands," said National Manager Operations Group Superintendent Tony McLeod today.

"While details of the ambush and who was involved are not yet to hand we have confirmed that no New Zealand police officers were involved or in close proximity to the scene of the incident.

"Family members of all the New Zealand officers currently serving in the Solomon Islands have been contacted to provide reassurance around the safety of all our members in the Solomons.

"This incident will necessitate a reappraisal of threat levels and operating procedures for police staff serving as part of RAMSI. New Zealand will participate fully in any such review but there is no intention that this recent violent act should disrupt the job so ably being carried out," said Mr McLeod.

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