30 personnel of the PNGDF Military, who took part in the Public Order Management Operators Program, completed their week long training yesterday at the PNGDF Murray Barracks depot.
The officers had undergone five days of intense public order management training aimed to erect an effective safety and security cell that will manage public disorder during the APEC summit.
Under the PNG-Australia Policing Partnership program intended for the Joint Security Task Force, PNGDF Military Police personnel displayed their skills and techniques in responding to riots as well as crowd control, mostly in unpredicted situations.
PNGDF Military Police Unit Officer Commander, Captain Elvis Toba, described the first of its kind training, facilitated by RPNGC at the McGregor Barracks, as relevant in equipping the military police personnel with firm basics of crowd control and riots.
“This training has been lacking for quite a while and we are fortunate to be given this opportunity by the RPNGC and AFP to conduct such trainings.”
He said the military police unit is keen to improve standards of the force’s unit and it is essential its trainees learn to understand and apply international standards or crowd control when the situation arises.
It also helps the military police build its capabilities to support the infantry units.
Of the 30 military police personnel, 4 women also took part in the trainings.
Second Lieutenant Rachael Toviri said the trainings given have instilled a special set of skills that they can use to encounter uprisings from rebellious crowd.
“I would recommend this to be used in our trainings as it enforces our abilities and it would most positively build us up to be a much stronger force.”
The PNGDF Military Police Riot Training with the Australian Federal Police is also part of the preparations towards PNG’s hosting of APEC.
A second platoon is expected to conduct their Public Order Management trainings towards the end of the month.