Minister calls on police to be honest

Civil Aviation Minister Alfred Manase has called upon members of the police force to be fair, honest, diligent, professional and committed in the discharge of their duties to the people of Papua New Guinea.

Minister Manase, who is also the Member for Kandep Open in the Enga Province, made this comment when officiating at the graduation parade for 234 police recruits at the Bomana Police College last Friday.

“It is a huge responsibility you have as policemen and policewomen but you are expected to live up to the expectations of the job. Don’t make any excuses,” Minister Manase said.

“No one forced you to join the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary. You joined on your own free will.

“If you have other motives for joining the police force then in all fairness to yourselves and the people of PNG you have to readjust your mind-set and change your attitude now.”

Manase said as a first-time parliamentarian and Government Minister, he was humbled to have been invited to officiate at the passing out parade for 176 male and 58 female police probationary constables of Police Recruit Intake 1 of 2017.

“As a Papua New Guinean you made me very proud today as you marched on and paraded before us. The Police Force has long been the symbol of unity and nationalism. It is also one of the most visible evidence or sign of government wherever you are in PNG.

“I understand that in September this year the Police Force will have been in existence in the country, in one form or another, for 130 years.”

Minister Manase told the recruits that they were joining an organisation that has a long and proud history and he called upon them to remember that this was not just any job but a noble profession.

He said this was a profession that empowered ordinary men and women to do extraordinary things to protect and serve the people.

“This is a selfless profession, meaning you put other people first before your own interests. You will be expected to work long hours and sometimes without due recognition. You will be expected to make sacrifices for others.

“There will come a time when you may be required to put your life on the line to protect someone you don’t even know.

“You will be expected to embrace all people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion or social standing. The 1,000 tribes in PNG become your tribe. The eight million plus people of Papua New Guinea are now your people.

“You as policemen and women carry that huge responsibility. Your primary role is to protect and serve the people,” Minister Manase said.

However, he warned that the country suffers and people live in fear and anxiety when policemen and policewomen do not do their job.

He said people live in fear and anxiety when members of the police force are dishonest and compromise themselves by taking bribery or by practicing the “wantok system”.

(Police Commissioner Gari Baki and parade review officer and guest speaker, Civil Aviation Minister Alfred Manase)

 

Author: 
Press release