The transportation and movement of detainees between the police cellblocks, the courthouse and jail must be efficiently managed.
This is to ensure inmates are securely transported to court on time and court cases are heard and expedited in a timely manner, says Chief of Police Operations, Acting Deputy Commissioner David Manning.
Manning said this on August 14th when he took delivery of three brand new robustly kitted prison vans from the PNG Australia Policing Partnership (PNG-APP) Mission Commander, Assistant Commissioner Bruce Giles, in Port Moresby.
Manning said the AFP, through the existing PNG Australia Policing Partnership program, donated these vans specifically for NCD Metropolitan Command, Lae Metropolitan Command in Morobe Province and Kimbe Police Station in West New Britain Province.
“The constabulary was often criticised by Judges and Magistrates for failing to bring felons to court on time, thus, the availability of a new prison van in Port Moresby, Lae and Kimbe will definitely improve security for inmate transfers and alleviate the problems of arriving late for court sessions,” Manning stated.
Commander Giles, Manning, Commander of NCD/Central Assistant Commissioner Donald Yamasombi and senior AFP and RPNGC officers came together in a small but significant ceremony to mark the donation of these vehicles.
“We cannot thank you enough for the generosity afforded to the constabulary,” Acting DCP Manning said while applauding the initiative taken by the AFP, adding what is good for the partnership is also good for the community.
Commander Giles said the PNG-APP was extending its reach beyond Port Moresby and Lae because there is a very big necessity for such resources and logistics in the other provinces.
“Specifically on this occasion, one of the vehicle is going to Kimbe. By donating the vehicle to Kimbe the PNG Australia Policing Partnership Program was doing something visible for the other provinces, away from its traditional boundaries in Port Moresby and Lae.”
Commander Giles said for three years (2015 -2018) the PNG-APP focused on APEC 2018 by donating boats, vehicles and motor bikes. He stated that more concentration and emphasis was also placed on training and equipping the Close Protection Officers (CPOs), but he said the program was now shifting back into supporting other areas of policing.
Manning said the Divisional Commander for the New Guinea Islands region will arrive in Port Moresby sometime this week and arrange for one of these vans to be shipped across to Kimbe.
