Baki brings back Police Reserves
The decision was made during a meeting with representatives of government and private sector organisations who had memorandum of understandings for Reserve Police Units or intended to enter into one with the RPNGC.
The Police Reserve arm of the RPNGC was discontinued and members discharged in 2008 following widespread abuse. In fact this was one of 61 recommendations of the Police Administrative Review Report.
However, Commissioner Baki said the law and order situation nationwide warranted the reintroduction of the reserve police arm of the Constabulary.
“The current situation is that we have 6,000-plus police personnel nationwide. To comply with the United Nations preferred ratio we have to bring that number to 18,000 which is an increase of about 12,000 members. Our budgetary constraints as well as the capacity of the Police Recruit Training College at Bomana can only take in just under 1,000 per annum.
“The recalling of Police Reserve is the way forward in the interim and will hopefully bridge the gap. I want to improve the law and order situation nation-wide with the recruitment of Police Reservists individually or under MOU arrangements with government and private sector organisations,” Commissioner Baki said.
However, due to abuses in the past there will be stringent conditions in place. All reservists will have to report to their nearest Provincial Police Commander or Metropolitan Superintendent and provide their recent CVs as well as letter of employment confirmation by their current employer. Unemployed Police Reserves will not be accepted. There will be no allowances paid and Reserve Police will be on an entirely voluntary basis. All Police Reservists will be required to give at least eight hours per week to the RPNGC.
For institutions, MOUs will have to be drawn up between the RPNGC and the interested parties governing the establishment of Reserve Police Units within their organisations.
“The MOUs will have to be drawn up that adequately addresses the shortfalls and or abuses of the past.
“Ultimately this is intended to ensure that there are more police personnel out protecting and serving the people of PNG,” Commissioner Baki said.
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