POLICE REVIEW GESI POLICY TO STRENGTHEN DISCIPLINE, LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) is finalizing the review of its Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Policy, signalling renewed commitment to strengthening discipline, leadership accountability, and professional standards across the constabulary.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) for Administration and Human Resources, Gaiwary Tinga, described the review as an essential step in reinforcing discipline and professionalism across the organisation.
“We cannot expect strong discipline and ethical behaviour from our officers if our standards are unclear or inconsistently applied,” ACP Tinga said. “GESI is not an abstract idea. It is about how officers treat each other, how leaders lead, and how we conduct ourselves as police officers entrusted with authority,” he said.
Senior officers involved in the review process noted that the new Policy is particularly relevant as policing in PNG faces increasing scrutiny. They said communities expect officers to act fairly, respectfully, and professionally, while officers themselves are calling for safer, more respectful working environments free from harassment, abuse, or favouritism.
“Professional discipline starts inside the organisation,” said one senior officer involved in the review. “When officers are treated with respect and know what behaviour is acceptable, that discipline carries over into operations and community interactions,” they said.
According to EU-PNG partnership for good governance the policy first endorsed in 2019, the GESI Policy was intended to support fairness, respect, and equal opportunity within the constabulary and to guide police conduct when engaging with communities. However, limited implementation, competing operational demands, and a lack of sustained ownership and funding meant the policy remained largely unused in day-to-day policing.
Police leadership has emphasised that the current review is not about introducing new concepts, but about ensuring the policy reflects the realities of policing in Papua New Guinea and supports officers to meet the standards expected of them, both internally and in public-facing duties.
