PNG Police Gain 54 New Officers As Marape Demands Duty And Discipline

PNG Police Gain 54 New Officers As Marape Demands Duty And Discipline

 Fifty-four new police officers have been told that the uniform they now wear carries an obligation to serve the people of Papua New Guinea wherever they are needed.

Prime Minister James Marape delivered the message during Friday's commissioning of Cadet Intake 1 of 2023 at the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary National Centre of Excellence at Bomana, where he urged the officers to remain loyal to their duty throughout their careers.

The graduates have completed three years of cadet training and are now entering the Constabulary with qualifications and work experience covering a wide range of professions.

Mr Marape said the emotion and determination displayed during the parade gave him confidence in the new group.

“In your eyes, I saw commitment, zeal, fire, emotion and love for your country,” he said.

“You touched my heart.”

He said police work demanded a level of commitment that could not be measured by wages or career advancement.

“Beyond money, it is you who will hold the country for the next 20, 30, 40 years — in fact, the next 50 years,” he said.

The officers, he said, would eventually occupy positions where they would both receive instructions from senior commanders and exercise authority over junior personnel.

The Prime Minister congratulated the group and urged them to remember the people who had placed their confidence in them.

“Congratulations of the highest order to you 54. I am proud of you,” Prime Minister Marape said.

He also warned them against failing their families, their organisation or the country they had sworn to serve.

“Don’t let your work down. Don’t let your country down. Don’t let your family down. Don’t let yourself down,” he said.

Mr Marape referred to the country's 51st Independence Anniversary message, “Nogat Lesman — Every Papua New Guinean Must Work,” saying the principle should be reflected in the conduct of police officers.

“Rain or sun, you have a duty,” he said.

“Constantly work and make our country a better place for all of us.”

He called on the officers to respect established police authority and maintain professional standards under Commissioner David Manning.

The Government, he said, would continue investing in the RPNGC, including recruitment, training, facilities, equipment and career development, as part of efforts to increase police strength to 10,000 personnel.

Mr Marape paid tribute to the instructors and senior officers responsible for the cadets' preparation and recognised the assistance provided by Australia.

“Thank you, Australia. Thank you Australian Government for staying with us,” he said.

The latest intake also brings new technical and professional skills into the police service.

Among the officers are graduates and professionals with backgrounds in law, prosecution, ICT, accounting, mathematics, engineering, chemistry, environmental science, GIS, political science and education.

Nursing, aviation, automotive technology, fisheries, marine resources, agriculture, project management and human resources are also represented.

Their previous employment included work in schools, engineering, science, accounting, information technology, health, aviation, management and administration.

The intake also includes serving police personnel who already have experience in operational policing, prosecution, Mobile Squad duties, training and administrative work.

Such expertise is expected to be useful as the Constabulary responds to offences that increasingly involve technology, financial systems and sophisticated criminal networks.

Cybercrime, digital evidence, fraud, money laundering, organised crime and intelligence operations are among the areas requiring specialised skills.

Legal knowledge can assist investigations and prosecutions, while financial expertise may support work against fraud and proceeds of crime. Technical and scientific skills can also be applied across a range of police operations.

The officers now face the task of turning their qualifications and experience into practical service while maintaining the standards expected of a police officer.

For the RPNGC, the commissioning represents not only an addition to its numbers but also an opportunity to develop specialist capabilities within a new generation of officers.

“God bless every one of you and your country, wherever you serve,” he said.