Solomon Islands. 2004 ‘Disarmament and Demobilisation.’ National Report of the Solomon Islands on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA), p. 19. New York, NY: Permanent Mission of the Solomon Islands to the United Nations. 1 November

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Through its Solomon Islands sub-office, the United Nations Development Programme has supported the Solomon Islands Government since July 2002 in the demobilisation of Special Constables Project.

Funded by AusAID, UNDP's Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery, the EU and with some assistance from NZAID, the project addressed some internal distortions within the Royal Solomon Islands Police that resulted from the conflict.

Following the cessation of hostilities, the Special Constables (SCs), known elsewhere as Police Reserves, multiplied in the absence of formal controls from approximately 400 to more than 2,000, as former combatants joined their ranks. Only one hundred from each militia - IFM and MEF - were originally slated for SC status following the peace agreement.

The resulting surge in numbers meant that many SCs lacked the necessary training and skills to carry out their responsibilities. Many maintain strong ties to former militia leaders existed. Their demands for payment for the past two years prior to 2003, of their "employment" - sometimes by threat of force - have drained public finances and heightened insecurity in the country.

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