Police reservists disbanded

PORT MORESBY – The National Capital District Commission police reserve unit in Port Moresby will be decommissioned and its vehicles, uniforms and firearms returned to the constabulary.

Police Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki issued the orders this week – which also applied to the Bank South Pacific reserve unit.

The order to dissolve the NCDC police reserve came as a result of the Hanuabada shootings two weeks ago while the BSP reserve unit disbanding was because guards were using police uniforms and firearms to perform security work for the commercial bank.

Acting deputy commissioner operations Jim Andrews said the NCDC would have to explore alternative options on how to enforce by-laws governing all municipalities within the city without the direct involvement of police.

He said a city rangers concept should be reintroduced and selected applicants should be trained and fairly remunerated to undertake this very challenging role of maintaining order and cleanliness.

“The police should only be called upon as and when the city rangers are faced with resistance from illegal betelnut traders and vendors, loiterers and other municipal law breakers, within the city,” he said.

Andrews said the decision to disband and decommission the NCDC reserve unit was made by Vaki to ensure proper care and management of the constabulary’s resources, more particularly the use of firearms.

He said the reserve and auxiliary concepts were scrapped during Commissioner Gari Baki’s tenure but exceptions were made through signed MOAs with the mining companies, BSP Bank, Air Niugini and several provincial governments which were funding the upkeep of their reservists.

The Police Association in Papua New Guinea is calling for a government review into the leadership of the constabulary.

The call comes after a number of high profile incidents involving police misconduct that sparked a week of protests.

Association General Secretary Clemence Kanau says the blame lies with the leadership of the force.

Kanau says many of the senior management are past their best.

“Men and women who have served the PNG Constabulary for more than 30 or 40 years – some who are responsible for the administration and management. “We believe the force has many young, professional officers who can easily fit into taking responsibility.”