Francis Tokura

Tokura’s commitment, determination, and longest service to the RPNGC for more than 40 years, has been honoured with a police barracks named after him. 

The renaming ceremony was small yet significant. It was witnessed by Minister for Internal Security Peter Tsiamalili Jnr, Member for South Bougainville Timothy Masiu, Commissioner of Police David Manning and members of the police force.

COP Manning said a discussion was had and the department decided on renaming the barracks after one of its loyal servants.

Chief of Bougainville Police Service and the region’s SOE controller, Francis Tokura, outlined that medical clearance is needed from provincial hospitals. And for those in Port Moresby, it can be obtained from the Paradise Hospital at Three-Mile.

“You must also make sure that you get clearance from the SOE office here – in my office from Bougainville,” Tokura stated.

“The airline operators are already aware of the restrictions that we have and they will also advice you on what you need to do before travelling to Bougainville.

This was the statement made by Acting Commissioner of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, Francis Tokura, following claims on social media that the investigations were being targeted at destabilizing Bougainville before the referendum.

“As Acting Commissioner of Police for the RPNGC and as the substantive Head of the Bougainville Police Service (BPS), I want to make it clear that the investigations taking place are the result of allegations made regarding a number of audits and financial matters,” he explained.

Acting Commissioner Tokura made this statement during the official opening of the K4.6 million police barracks, funded by New Britain Palm Oil Limited (NBPOL) under its tax credit scheme, on July 18.

The barracks has a capacity to house up to 80 police officers, boasts a double classroom, an administration block, an armoury and a helipad.

Tokura said to meet the Marape-Steven government vision to become a rich black Christian nation, the RPNGC as a government organisation can achieve this by providing a peaceful, safe and secure environment.

Francis Tokura gave as an example the three recent high profile arrests of public servants.

Warning bells sounded when a senior PNG Customs officer was arrested for his involvement in an alleged tax evasion, the arrest of MRDC Managing Director Augustine Mano as well as the arrest of the CEO of the National Gaming Control Board.

Acting Police Commissioner Tokura said the senior management of the Royal PNG Constabulary had no visibility on these cases until the arrests were published in the media.

This move is intended to win back public trust and confidence in the Constabulary, says Acting Deputy Commissioner Operations David Manning.

Since assuming office, the Tokura administration has identified flaws within the Internal Affairs Directorate which is causing a lot of court-sanctioned reinstatement of members who are supposedly penalised and dismissed from the organisation.

Francis Tokura says he will ensure they continue to carry out their constitutional mandate of protecting lives and property, as well as maintaining law and order.

Tokura, who was the chief of the Bougainville Police Service prior to his appointment, assures that they will be doing their level best to move the Royal PNG Constabulary forward, which includes continuing with the initiatives set by the former management.

Police Minister Bryan Kramer gave the assurance during a press conference today at the Police Headquarters.

Acting Police Commissioner, Francis Tokura, acting Deputy Police Commissioner – Operations, David Manning, and acting Deputy Police Commissioner – Administration, Joanne Clarkson, will all serve for a period of three months.

He shared this sentiment recently in Buka during the opening of a week-long Custodian Management Training at the Hutjena Police Station in Buka in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

At the moment the BPS has a rehabilitation centre only at Bekut that houses a maximum of 50 prisoners but is now overcrowded.

That is the main reason why elections in Bougainville have been quiet since nominations period.

Assistant Commissioner for Police (ACP) and Chief of Bougainville Police, Francis Tokura, said election preparations have been quiet, unlike previous years of election.

Tokura said from information he has gathered, one of the significant changes that Bougainville has seen is candidates going into wards and communities by themselves to do their own campaigning.

“In the past, we would see truckloads and groups of supporters driving around with candidates.”