Twenty NCD police officers are undergoing a five-day firearm training program conducted by the Bomana Police Training College at Laloki, outside Port Moresby.
The group, consisting of 17 men and 3 women, have all been on location for the intense firearm training since Monday.
Bomana Police Training Commandant, Perou N’Dranou, said gun control is of high importance, especially if it’s the police behind the firearm.
He said recent incidents have seen the general public lose confidence in the police force and it is their responsibility to train these officers about firearms and gun control in public places.
“Most of the time, these officers think training is not so important when in fact, firearms trainings are critical, level four training requirement.”
N’Dranou pointed out previous incidents like the Hanuabada shooting, Tatana shooting as well as the UPNG shooting last year.
“We need to do something about this.”
He adds that 60 percent of accidents caused are firearm related. Therefore it is imperative that police personnel out in the field should be firearm ready and able to protect themselves as well as civilians.
“Police personnel, let alone anyone who is in possession of a licenced firearm, is and should be required to train for their own safety and the safety of others.”
The group of officers will be certified tomorrow in the presence of their instructors and the training commandant.