Day 5 of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) on Friday, July 26th highlighted issues in deploying police officers across the country.
Police Commissioner David Manning explained that new recruits and cadets are posted based on the needs of divisional commanders, who provide their requirements for additional manpower.
“It is often best practice where divisional commanders put in their requirements for additional manpower,” Manning said.
For cadets who move into leadership roles, the process involves assessments and recommendations to determine their suitability for various positions. These positions range from shift inspectors to police station commanders, with the final decision on postings made before the cadets’ passing-out ceremony.
Manning acknowledged that housing and supervision capabilities significantly impact where new officers are deployed.
“It is dictated on a number of areas as to what specific location is deemed suitable for the deployment of these new probation constables, from issues such as adequate housing to the capacity of their command to exercise proper supervision of them,” he explained.
He revealed to the inquiry that while the deployment process aims to be systematic and needs-based, practical challenges such as housing availability and supervision capacities often complicate it. This can delay or affect the effectiveness of new officers’ integration into their roles.
Efforts to address these issues include an infrastructure development program and strategic planning to ensure proper housing and support for officers, aiming to improve overall deployment efficiency and effectiveness across the RPNGC.
The COI has been underway in Port Moresby with the top management of the Constabulary facing the Inquiry the first week.
The start of the COI comes nearly five months after police stood down from duties as “pay cuts” were experienced for nearly a day.
Prime Minister James Marape had announced the COI as part of the Government’s response.
Police Commissioner Manning has stated firmly that the RPNGC is ready to assist in any way it can with the Inquiry.
“Any member of the RPNGC called upon to provide information to investigators or to appear at the COI will do so and will provide full and detailed information as required by law,” Manning said.
The Commission of Inquiry is investigating the Constabulary’s failure to prevent the Black Wednesday rioting and looting, which cost businesses millions of kina in losses.
Day 5 of the COI focused on recruitment, training, deployment, infrastructure development, housing policies, and promotions within the RPNGC.