About 576 security personnel have been paid out their State of Emergency (SOE) operation allowances already with the remaining 400 officers from the National Capital District (NCD) to be paid theirs this week.
That was the confirmation from the Police Commissioner David Manning in a statement which he released this afternoon. Manning said the remaining payments are being processed by the Finance Department and BSP.
He explained that the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) Human Resource Division stressed the need to process the allowances in two tranches because of administrative delays by the Zone Commanders in submitting relevant paperwork on time.
As a result, and after the allowances are paid out to the remaining personnel, the respective Zone Commanders will be required to provide details on why delays occurred and potentially face administrative action.
Commissioner Manning stressed that the country expects police officers to get out and do their duties and the same is expected of the Zone Commanders and administrative staff, who should be ensuring their personnel are properly supported.
The Police Commissioner later expressed confidence in the command of the interim NCD/ Central Commander, ACP Peter Guiness and reinforced his expectation that police deliver upon their duty first and foremost, while exercising patience as administrative processes occur.