Sir John Pundari has officially taken office as Papua New Guinea’s new Minister for Police with outgoing Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jr assuring him of the full support of the country’s police force, whom he described as the nation’s “Blue Angels”.
The handover took place during a formal but brief ceremony at the Police Headquarters in Port Moresby city today, following a Cabinet reshuffle under the Marape–Rosso Government. Senior police leadership, including ACP NCD and Central Commander Benjamin Turi, attended alongside government officials and the media.
Speaking at the ceremony, Tsiamalili, now Minister for Works, described the occasion as a ministerial transition rather than an operational one, stressing that the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) remains a constitutional institution.
“Today is more a ministerial shift, not so much operational, because…the police force, they’re a constitutional office on their own,” he said.
Tsiamalili acknowledged the challenges attached to the police portfolio but reassured Sir John Pundari that he would inherit a capable and committed force.
“We may have our challenges, but I want to reassure you today, you have some of the finest policemen and women,” he said. “They truly are the Blue Angels of our country.”
He credited the support of police leadership and rank-and-file officers for enabling him to perform his duties as minister, noting that systems and long-term strategies were already in place to guide reforms.
Among these, he pointed to the Deloitte “true cost of policing” audit, which assessed the capacity, infrastructure and funding needs required to modernize the force.
“We as politicians will come and go, but the systems are in place,” Tsiamalili said.
During his address, the outgoing minister highlighted achievements under his tenure, including increased police recruitment, infrastructure upgrades, and partnerships with Australia and the Commonwealth.
He said police numbers had grown from about 550 recruits to nearly 1,000 expected to graduate this year, while acknowledging the accompanying challenges in housing and welfare.
Sir John Pundari in his first formal remarks as Police Minister, thanked Prime Minister James Marape and the Marape–Rosso Government for their confidence in appointing him to the portfolio. He also paid tribute to Tsiamalili’s leadership, describing the role as demanding and complex.
“I can feel the weight of this new portfolio, and I must take my hats off for you. You have done really, really well,” Pundari said.
He credited Tsiamalili with driving reforms, strengthening partnerships, and overseeing significant investments such as the upgrade of the police training college into a Centre of Excellence, now hosting trainees from across the Pacific.
“This is indeed something that is significant in our contribution to regional security,” Pundari said.
The incoming minister said his priorities would include police welfare, infrastructure development and community trust, stressing the importance of accommodation and support for officers as recruitment expands.
“I look forward to working very closely with these brave officers, I want to work closely with our communities and our good friends and all other stakeholders” Sir Pundari concluded.
A joint transition statement issued by the Ministry of Police confirmed that the 2023–2025 period focused on stabilizing operations, strengthening capacity and progressing governance reforms, with both ministers reaffirming their commitment to continuity, stability and public safety.
As Sir Pundari assumes responsibility for law and order, the outgoing minister expressed confidence that the police portfolio had been handed to a much wiser, much more experienced leader, setting the stage for the next phase of reform within the RPNGC.
