A total of 309 reserve police recruits graduated after completing five weeks of training at the Bomana Police College in Port Moresby in time for election security duties. The 309 graduates, which included 123 women, are Police Reserve Intake 2 of 2022. Commissioner of Police David Manning, who officiated at the graduation parade, said the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary is taking all necessary steps to train competent and model citizens in their respective communities. Mr. Manning said the graduation ceremony was significant because in the Constabulary’s endeavors to rebuild the force it has also recognized the need to improve on how it can effectively deliver better policing services to the country. He said the graduation also marks the gradual build-up of reserve numbers up to 5,000 strong in the coming years. Mr. Manning said the reserve recruits had undergone police work ethics, community policing, basic investigation, police arrest procedures, other police roles and responsibilities and electoral offences. He said they have come from different parts of the country and after this graduation they will be handed over to their respective Provincial Police Commanders including Motu-Koitabu Local level government in the National Capital District to deploy for the 2022 National General Election. Commissioner Manning told the police reserve graduates, “You are now part of an organization that has a long and proud history. As an organization we have existed, in one form or another, under German, British, Japanese and Australian rule over the last 134 years.” The Commissioner told the members on parade that under section 197 of the PNG constitution, the functions of the RPNGC is to preserve peace and good order and to maintain and enforce the law in an impartial and objective manner in the country. Mr. Manning told the reservists that they have all the powers and functions of a regular member of the Constabulary, however, he said this comes with responsibilities. He said the constitution provides for basic, fundamental and qualified rights of citizens and as officers of the law they are obligated to honour the PNG Constitution and protect and uphold the rights of the people whilst exercising their duties. “Every time you wear the uniform is to protect and serve the people of this country. As police officers we must always be mindful of those rights guaranteed under the constitution and ensure that we at all times accord respect to the rights of our citizens. Be disciplined and professional at all times. Live according to the police code of conduct and our code of ethics,” Mr Manning told the 309 members of Police Recruit Intake 2 of 2022.