Royal PNG Constabulary

Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Operations, Donald Yamasombi, has praised the conduct and behaviour of all citizens throughout the nation during the 2019 Christmas period.

Yamasombi, who is chief of Police Operations, said there were one or two incidences but generally, Papua New Guinea celebrated Christmas peacefully.

“From the National Crime Summary report received from the 24th to the 29th of December 2019, the crime rate has dropped drastically by half compared to previous years. This is a great achievement and a positive step forward for PNG.

The festive period operations began a month ago and according to Police, residents of Port Moresby have maintained peace.

Three main road blocks have been set up to achieve their plan of bringing a peaceful festive season.

NCD Metropolitan Superintendent, Perou N’Dranou, said with the record of this year’s operations, he is happy the city is responding to their message of adhering to law and order.

Superintendent N’Dranou also said they have successfully completed the second phase of the operations and will be completing the next phase.

Acting Commissioner David Manning announced this when the RPNGC executive management met with former Police Commissioner and High Commissioner to the Philippines, Ambassador Anthony Wagambie and former Assistant Police Commissioner, Giosi Labi, to discuss ways to improve the management of all police pensions.

These are some of the initiatives that will be applied by the Royal PNG Constabulary in policing, especially when it involves tense situations. It is hoped these measures will limit the escalation of violence.

There have been numerous incidents where members of the public are killed by police during confrontations or unrests. The most recent shooting death occurred at Erima on September 28^th when settlers clashed with members of the force.

This follows a National Executive Council decision to revoke the acting appointment of Francis Tokura.

Police Minister Bryan Kramer said the National Executive Council made the decision on the night of September 2^nd to reinstate Francis Tokura to his substantive position as the deputy commissioner of police in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville as well as the chief of Bougainville Police Service.

Police Minister Bryan Kramer gave the assurance during a press conference today at the Police Headquarters.

Acting Police Commissioner, Francis Tokura, acting Deputy Police Commissioner – Operations, David Manning, and acting Deputy Police Commissioner – Administration, Joanne Clarkson, will all serve for a period of three months.

Acting Police Commissioner, Gari Baki, said within the last 13 years, the RPNGC has had 13 police commissioners – six permanent appointments and seven acting appointments.

“If it continues like this, this Constabulary will never build a house,” Baki said in yesterday’s press briefing.

The July 7^th briefing followed a directive from Police Minister, Bryan Kramer, for Baki to stop work, while Deputy Police Commissioners Jim Andrews and Raphael Huafolo were replaced after their contracts expired on July 4^th.

A change in attitude and greater accountability should be anticipated, but the community has also been urged to play their part.

“Not only in public accountability but assisting with the Force in addressing crime,” Kramer said in a press briefing on the 18^th of June.

Kramer gave as an example the recent apprehension of a suspect who was allegedly sexually abusing a six-year-old girl. The case came to light after a concerned citizen posted on Facebook.

During Monday’s handover-takeover ceremony and ministerial brief for police minister, Commissioner Gari Baki said the RPNGC’s Corporate Plan 2011-2020 aligns with the government’s broader plans, including PNG Vision 2050, PNG Development Strategic Plan 2010-2030 and the Medium Term Development Plan (MTDPs).

“It also captures the recommendations of the Police Administrative Review 2004 and the PNG Law & Justice Integrity Review 2011,” stated Baki.

The police commissioner outlined their intention during the recent launch of the NCD Policing Initiative.

The NCD Policing Initiative is all about going back to basics where supervision, command and control and accountability are the key aspects.

Dividing the city into three operational zones will ensure manpower and resources are identified and allocated to these newly-demarcated police operational boundaries.