Housing challenges for police officers were a significant focus on Day 5 of the Commission of Inquiry into the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC).
Police Commissioner David Manning detailed the ongoing struggles with providing adequate housing for officers, which directly impacts their deployment and morale.
Manning revealed that a large portion of police infrastructure is in poor condition.
“An analysis… identified that 54 per cent of our existing infrastructure at that time across the country were assessed to be in poor to very poor conditions,” he stated.
Moreover, 23% of the infrastructure was found to be non-operational, highlighting a severe lack of functional police housing and facilities.
To address these issues, the RPNGC has initiated an infrastructure development program, endorsed by the National Executive Council (NEC).
“We have commenced a significant infrastructure development program,” Manning noted.
This program aims to rebuild and rehabilitate police housing and stations, starting with key regional centers such as Mt. Hagen city in Western Highlands province and Gordons in Port Moresby city.
Manning emphasized that while housing is not a formal condition of employment, it is crucial for operational effectiveness and maintaining morale among officers.
“We are very committed and well-invested in building more barracks infrastructure for our people,” he said, stressing the importance of strategic housing solutions for effective policing.
The program also considers future expansions, aiming to future-proof the police force’s infrastructure needs.
This long-term planning is essential to ensuring that the RPNGC can continue to provide adequate housing and support for its officers, thereby improving their operational capabilities and overall morale.