By Thecka Gunga – EM TV, Port Moresby
Discussions amongst senior police officers, from the PNG Royal Police Constabulary, on the security operations of upcoming national events, ended on Friday afternoon.
These national events include the Pacific Games in July, Papua New Guinea’s 40th Independence in September, the 2017 National Elections and the 2018 APEC Leader’s Summit.
With all these national events scheduled to occur, the national government is now placing enormous pressure on the police force to not only plan security operations for these events, but to diligently perform their duties as government representatives.
In Friday’s meeting, Deputy Police Commissioner, Jim Andrews, when addressing senior officers, spoke of the responsibility police officers are tasked to carry out, during these national events.
Beginning with the July Games, Andrews said despite the joint police personnel operations with PNG Defence Force and Correctional Service officers, police will be spearheading the whole security operations.
Andrews said the security operations for the 2015 Pacific Games, has received K56 million from the national government.
From the money, K26 million was used to purchase communication items, including other capital purchases.
“We have purchased communication equipment and vehicles, said Andrews.
K30 million is yet to be given by the government and additional man power will be provided by the Australian Federal Police for the operation.
Andrews said planning for the 2018 APEC Summit has already begun.
The discussions involved views from all provincial police commanders including the NCD and Lae Metropolitan Superintendents, and other senior officials, from both the administration and operations wing of the constabulary.
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