PNG Police Appoints Tongan-born Officer to Lead New Ireland Command

 PNG Police Appoints Tongan-born Officer to Lead New Ireland Command/Photo supplied

A senior police officer with decades of experience in New Zealand has taken up a new role in PNG, becoming the latest Commonwealth police officer to join the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.

Chief Superintendent Siaosi (George) Fanamanu, who is originally from Tonga and previously served with the New Zealand Police, has sworn an oath of allegiance to PNG and has been appointed Provincial Police Commander for New Ireland.

Police Commissioner David Manning said Fanamanu’s experience in dealing with difficult law and order situations would add value to the ongoing strengthening of the RPNGC.

He said the Commonwealth Police programme was helping the constabulary bring in experienced officers from across the Pacific while improving discipline, policing skills and community confidence.

The programme currently has eight Commonwealth police officers serving within the RPNGC, with further applications received from serving and former officers from other Pacific countries.

Commissioner Manning said the foreign officers were being placed within the normal command structure and had the same policing powers as their PNG counterparts.

He stressed that the officers were also subject to PNG law and would be held accountable for their conduct.

“These Commonwealth Police are important for the RPNGC as they bring an unbiased approach to our communities, share policing methods from other countries and have a desire to play their role in improving law and order in PNG,” Mr Manning said.

Chief Superintendent Fanamanu said his immediate focus in New Ireland would be to establish strong working relationships with community leaders, churches, women’s groups and young people.

“I am a Pacific man, who was raised in the traditions of my people, gained my policing skills in New Zealand, and now I have the opportunity to serve my brothers and sisters of PNG,” he said.

He also identified the coming elections as a key responsibility, saying police must protect the democratic process and maintain neutrality while supporting the Electoral Commission.

“I will ensure the neutrality and impartially of the RPNGC in supporting the Electoral Commission to deliver free and fair elections in New Ireland Province,” he said.