More than 100 police reservists, including 15 women, have completed four weeks of intensive training at the Gusap Training Centre in Morobe Province, marking another step in strengthening law enforcement in the region.
Deputy Police Commissioner Dr. Philip Mitna made the remarks today during the opening of the second batch of reservists, highlighting the program’s role in addressing police manpower shortages.
He said the reservist program was reintroduced before the 2022 elections to support recruitment efforts and reinforce security across the country.
“Despite a long-standing plan to increase police numbers to 10,000, a lack of political will and commitment hindered progress,” Dr. Mitna said.
He added that while the Marape-Rosso government has supported recruitment efforts, Bomana Police College can only train 500 officers per year, which remains a challenge.
To bridge this gap, he said police rely on partnerships with provincial governments, as the national budget alone is insufficient to support policing in all 22 provinces.
“Reservists serve as a backup force for regular officers, and while some provinces have supported this initiative, we need more to see the value in working together,” he said.
Dr. Mitna acknowledged Morobe’s commitment to the program, stating that while some provinces refused to participate, Morobe recognized its unique security challenges and stepped up.
“The policy allows police to maintain command and control, while provincial governments provide administrative support such as uniforms and operational costs,” he said.
He added that the reservist program would also serve as a recruitment pathway into the regular force, addressing long-term staffing shortages.
“New recruits will have full arresting powers and be held to the same disciplinary standards as regular officers,” he said.
Dr. Mitna said the police force currently has around 6,500 officers, but retirements and an aging workforce have reduced its active numbers.
He urged the new reservists to uphold discipline and integrity as they play a vital role in strengthening law enforcement.
“Morobe is preparing for the 2027 election, and this reservist program is a crucial step in ensuring security for our nation,” he said.