In preparation for the upcoming 2025 National Budget, leaders within the Marape-led coalition government are setting security and law enforcement as top priorities.
Discussions, led by Prime Minister James Marape and Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso, highlighted the need for a robust Law and Justice sector, especially in policing.
Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey revealed that the budget would be themed “Secure PNG 2025,” emphasizing the government’s commitment to addressing national security issues.
Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili provided a comprehensive overview of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC)’s current state, stressing that urgent attention is needed to resolve major gaps.
“We have a huge shortfall in police manpower,” Tsiamalili noted.
He explained that PNG currently has only 6,227 officers out of 13,415 possible positions.
This equates to a ratio of one officer for every 1,600 people, compared to the global standard of one officer for every 450 individuals.
Tsiamalili’s presentation underscored additional challenges, including lack of housing, funding shortages, and deficiencies in training.
Provincial leaders and governors also voiced concerns about increasing lawlessness across their regions.
Rising crime rates, coupled with challenges such as transnational and cyber threats, have intensified calls for a well-supported, effective police force.
Aiming to counter these risks, the government is now looking into expanding community policing efforts and investing in technology, including ICT and artificial intelligence, to improve overall crime management capabilities.
To address manpower shortages in the immediate term, the police department is accelerating the training of new recruits at Bomana Police College (BTC).
Minister Tsiamalili confirmed that 300 new officers have already been inducted, with plans to add 500 more by 2025.
Additionally, under the PNG-Australia Bilateral Security Agreement, Australia has pledged to help boost PNG’s police numbers to 1,000, with initial assistance focused on enhancing police infrastructure in regions like Mt. Hagen, Port Moresby, and Kokopo.
As Cabinet deliberations continue, PNG’s leaders aim to make law enforcement a central element of the 2025 budget, focusing on better resourcing for police and strengthened law and order across the country.