The discipline process within the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary will go under a major reformation after the completion of a week-long Commissioner of Police Conference in Kimbe.
Commissioner Gari Baki said the lack of discipline has been a major impediment to the performance and progress of the organisation in recent times.
He said there were many underlying issues in the administration of the discipline issue and the discipline symposium in Kimbe is intended to identify these issues and rejuvenate discipline issues for the betterment of the constabulary.
When giving out the overview of the workshop, Commissioner Baki said discipline has been one of the major topics of the organisation and the outcome of the conference will give him the best way forward as to how they will reform the issue of discipline.
He also said the use of firearms within the Constabulary is also a major concern.
“I am contemplating on an organization without firearms. There are 49 different types of firearms the constabulary is using it right now. We were trained to use sidearm and shot guns but when the young constables come out, they are already in possession of rifles which they are not properly trained to use,” he said.
He said it is becoming a habit when police personnel are more confident doing their job with a firearm then without one.
The preparation of the National Elections next year will also be discussed during the week. During his overview, Commissioner Baki said he has already made his stand that the 2017 National Elections will not be coordinated from Police Headquarters but rather, it will be controlled by respective Divisional Commanders in their respective commands.
“We won’t be sending troops from outside to assist in the election. This will now depend on respective Divisional commanders to take carriage of all those members within their command. So Divisional Commanders and PPCs, you have a mammoth task to prepare yourself for the national election in your own command,” he said.