Commissioner applauds reintroduction of Joint Services College

The reintroduction of the Joint Services College was a step in the right direction for the three disciplinary forces.

Commissioner of Police Gari Baki made this comment when he farewelled a total of 15 police officer cadets at a dinner at the Police Officers Mess at the Bomana Training College last week.

Commissioner Baki said: “I can attest to the fact that many police officers who joined the Constabulary and were a part of the JSC program, were closely acquainted with their counterparts from the other two disciplinary forces.

“I came from the old school and we operated differently because the JSC in my time provided the leeway for my fellow officers to acquaint themselves professionally with our colleagues from the other disciplined services.

“We enjoyed the feeling of esprit-de-corp and camaraderie and shared many issues together concerning our career and more importantly, our country’s national security issues,” Commissioner Baki said.

Today, that mutual trust and understanding amongst the officers of the three disciplinary forces is absent because those who joined after the abolishment of the JSC were not trained together.

“I can confidently announce that the JSC is a place where leaders are produced, because I went there and I am now serving my second term as Commissioner of Police.

“In fact, nearly all of my squad mates at the JSC have become CS of Police Commissioners while few others have come as far as Assistant Commissioner or were elevated to the rank of Deputy Commissioner. Others became Commanders in the PNGDF because they acquired a wealth of skills and knowledge from this highly commendable concept.”

He said JSC is a viable initiative because officers of the three disciplinary forces were able to relate well and understand each other, especially in times of major joint security operations.

The JSC was purposely set up to train, nurture and groom ambitious young men and women and turn them into professional officers and to promote a general sense of unity among the three disciplinary forces.

Commissioner Baki said as a sovereign nation, Papua New Guinea will continue to co-exist and trade in the global arena but the country cannot efficiently venture into the economic pathway, unless there is absolute stability in terms of national security.

 He said stability can only be enjoyed or achieved if our disciplinary forces are operating on the same wave length.

He told the new cadets that as commissioner he expected them  to reopen that pathway so they  can reconnect themselves with the other  counterparts from the military and correctional services and foster a better relationship orientated on mutual trust and understanding.

“Our relationship at the professional front is absolutely essential and therefore it is imperative for police, military and correctional officers to share common bonds in all aspects of their operability for the benefit of our national security.”

The 15 cadets were flown to Lae on Sunday and were taken to Igam Barracks. They will undergo 18 months of rigorous physical training and they will also be exposed to the military culture.

(Commissioner Baki and senior officers at the dinner, flanked by the new cadets)

Author: 
Press release