Police Commissioner

Police Commissioner, Gari Baki says the 2017 elections have been very quiet but says he is pleased with the progress of the police elections operations so far.

He said unlike running the operations in previous elections in the country, 2017 is a complete change.

“I do not know if it is a change for the better, but for me it shows that there is maturity in the mindset of Papua New Guineans and that’s the way we should be,” says Baki.

This was the comment from Commissioner for Police, Gari Baki in a media conference this morning at the Police headquarters.

Baki states that in his view of what had happened, there is always reaction to what has happened in the jails.

He adds that it’s time we give considerations to the structure that is supporting our jails.

There may be other contributing factors however, Baki said he did not want to talk about how the Correctional Service has managed its affairs.

Police Commissioner Gari Baki said there was delay due to slow release of funds in the past few weeks.

“K8 million of the K121 million needed to run the operations have been released from Treasury.”

Baki said the other K21 million is expected to be released most likely today or tomorrow.

He added that the outstanding K21 million is still very much needed to carry out the full cost of deployment.

“The K8 million has been used to set up the provincial operating posts already.”

Police Commissioner Gari Baki says that only K8 million of the K121 million needed to run the operations have been released from Treasury.

Presently provinces have been running operations without the full response contingents which Baki says have yet to be deployed.

Baki says that all commanders are due to fly into Port Moresby this week to review the progress of their operations while also look at the set up of their centres on ground to coordinate the operations.

Commissioner Baki flew into the Province the following day for a planned visit which was brought forward upon news to ensure peace is maintained.

“My decision to come here was planned so when I received the urgent news I had to be here personally to give the assurance that the issue will be dealt with according to Law and to simmer down the tension and bring Kimbe to normalcy as we prepare to go into elections,” he said.

He said as one of the disciplinary forces that sends its men to the college, RPNGC is obliged to help in any way. 

“As Commissioner, I am obligated to help because this institution is responsible in helping train our men and women,” Commissioner Baki said. 

He stated that the weapons will be used for training purposes only.

The 50 rifles are part of the 250 that were confiscated by the PNG Customs last year and kept at the Igam Barracks.

Commissioner for Police, Gari Baki, confirmed this today during a conference at the Police Headquarters in Port Moresby.

Baki said only a small contingent of defence and two sections of the mobile squad are still in the province.

The officers were pulled out for a couple of reasons; one of which is to reposition the men and prepare again for redeployment for the elections. The second reason is the issue of funding.

However, Baki says that will not stop them from going into phase two of the call-out operations, which will be the targeted operations in the province.

The destruction of weapons will take place tomorrow, as part of the “Operation Klinim Hela” program.”

The program follows a special call out operations sanctioned by the Government to help stem the buildup of arms and ammunition in the province ahead of the 2017 National Election.

For tomorrow March 7, 2017, a joint tentative program will see Phase One of the arms surrender.

Commissioner Baki announced this last Friday during the pass-out parade of the Police Recruit intake 1 of 2016 at the Bomana Police College. 

“I expect all members of the Constabulary, including you all 242 recruits on parade, to uphold these values.

“I expect you to strictly enforce these values because our aim is to eradicate the rot and regain the confidence and trust of our people,” Commissioner Baki said.

 This was made possible through the signing of an historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will see select Trukai staff join the RPNGC.

The MoU, which was announced last week at Police Headquarters in Konedobu, Port Moresby, saw Police Commissioner Gari Baki and Trukai Industries CEO, Greg Worthington-Eyre, witness the signing.

“To begin this MoU with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and its Reserve Police Program, Trukai Industries will provide a core group of eight Trukai security personnel,” said Worthington-Eyre.