PNGDF staff prepare for elections

Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) officers must have a clear understanding of law enforcement principles and how they differ from the conduct of armed conflict.

PNGDF’s Chief of Staff, Colonel Ray Numa, says understanding must prevail when they are called to assist police during law enforcement operations, including this year’s elections.

Training Chief, Captain Philip Polewara, relayed Col Numa’s comments as 37 soldiers attended workshops on Military Support to Law Enforcement, run by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) at Lodge 10 in Port Moresby this week.

The two back-to-back workshops were to ensure military officers understood basic principles of law enforcement, such as maintenance of public order, how to deal with situations of violence, arrest and detention and the use of force and firearms.

The army is expected to be deployed in special security operations supporting the police as Papua New Guineans go to the polls in June and July this year.

Abdul Aziz Azhari, the course facilitator and ICRC’s Senior Security and Political Adviser in Kuala Lumpur, said in crowd control situations, there were clear principles governing how and when to escalate force.

“It’s not something security forces can afford to get wrong, and we were pleased the PNGDF showed interest in listening to what the ICRC had to say on the subject.”

The two workshops, which took place from 21-24 March, were attended by 37 soldiers, including 5 from the 2nd Royal Pacific Island Regiment (2RPIR) Moem Barracks in Wewak, 5 Navy officers and remaining from the Murray Barracks headquarters and 1st Royal Pacific Island Regiment (1RPIR) Taurama Barracks.

The ICRC works with security forces around the world to ensure they understand and can apply international humanitarian law (the law of armed conflict), international human rights law and other relevant legal frameworks.

Author: 
Press release