Commissioner ofthe Royal Papua New GuineaConstabulary Tom Kulunga saysthe force is well organized and will fulfill its 2013 implementation programs.
Commissioner Kulunga says housing isthe biggest obstacle facingthe force and will be made priority this year.
On Wednesday last week,the commissioner withnessedthe clearing of a site in Morata inthe nation’s capital for a new police barracks. The new Morata Police Barracks will house one hundred and twenty six members ofthe RPNGC.
The commissioner has seenthe need to increase manpower, however, saidthe availability of adequate resources including housing for its police men and women has been and isthe biggest obstacle for the force.
Commissioner Kulunga said top ofthe list of agendas this year is increasing manpower and addressing housing issues for its men and women.
The constabulary currently has a total manpower of about five thousand. This is way belowthe United Nation’s ratio of one to every four hundred and fifty people.
This has seenthe aid of reservists.
Just overthe weekend, disgruntled reserve policemen and women gthered at Port Moresby’s Ela Beach to raise concerns about being stood down from duties following a stand down notice issued for ceasing of services as ofthe 29th of January 2013. The issue was also raised in parliament tothe Police Minister.
The Commissioner Kulunga saidthe constabulary is well organized this year and will be implementing effective programs to changethe constabulary for the better.
He said eight hundred recruits are expected to pass out end of this year,the beginning of manpower build-up for the force.
Bernadette Efi, National EMTV News
