RPNGC revamp of ethical standards

The new Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary executive management, under Acting Commissioner Francis Tokura, is moving swiftly to revamp ethical standards and the process of adjudicating all disciplinary cases within the organisation.

This move is intended to win back public trust and confidence in the Constabulary, says Acting Deputy Commissioner Operations David Manning.

Since assuming office, the Tokura administration has identified flaws within the Internal Affairs Directorate which is causing a lot of court-sanctioned reinstatement of members who are supposedly penalised and dismissed from the organisation.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Operations David Manning relayed this in a recent media statement, saying the mistrust and enmity shown by the public towards the Constabulary is a major concern to the new administration.

Manning said the negative trend has and can prove detrimental to effective police operability and so it was crucial for the new management to correct the disciplinary laws to win back the hearts and minds of the people.

One example he said, was the process of laying disciplinary charges on members of the Constabulary, which requires the input of three senior officers who must be specifically identified and their roles sanctioned by way of a written minute, or through a gazette authorized by the Commissioner, to perform such functions under the Police Force Act.

“The commissioner is required to authorize the administrative powers of the Charging Officer referred to as Discipline Officer One, the Adjudicating Officer referred to as Discipline Officer Two, and the Penalizing Officer, referred to as Discipline Officer 3,” he stated.

“However, at present senior officers from the rank of inspector upward who are in positions of authority think that by virtue of their rank, they have the authority to act as disciplinary officers.

“The Acting Police Commissioner has cited this blunder and will now appoint the various Discipline Officers pursuant to section 19 of the Police Force Act.”

Manning hopes this new remedy will open up a pathway for the police force to remove all the bad apples, paving way for good governance and accountability to thrive within the organisation.

(From left: Acting Deputy Commissioner Operations, David Manning, and acting Commissioner Francis Tokura)

Author: 
Press release