Saturday 18th March 2023

Minister for Internal Security, Peter Tsiamalili jr. said the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) has reached out to regional and international counterparts, in particular, the law enforcement agencies, in addressing transnational crimes and criminals.

He emphasized that strategic partnership with regional and international counterparts is critical to addressing transnational crimes and criminals, adding, RPNGC has embarked on strengthening partnership, leadership and governance to enhance capacity building and improve capability and information sharing.

The RPNGC has further reached out to provincial and district governments to strengthen policing at the different levels of government.

“In line with the government’s Minimum Service Delivery Framework, the Provincial Police Commanders (PPCs) in each province have developed Provincial, and District Development Plans focused on improving police service delivery at the provincial and district levels.”

Minister Tsiamalili jr. urged the PPCs to work closely with the Provincial and District Administrators, respective Governors and Members of Parliament, to ensure these plans are collectively supported to improve police service at the two levels of government.

A policy paper has now been developed to legitimize Provincial and District Development Plans.

Mr Tsiamalili jr. has further announced that the RPNGC has recently partnered with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to police the digital world through the Cyber Coordination Centre.

The Cyber Coordination Center will address cyber and computer crimes, monitor social media platforms and report to the police for action.

He added, the administration and operation are captured in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the RPNGC and DICT, which details among other aspects, that members of DICT will be sworn in as Special Constables and will have the same policing powers as the regular members of the police force.

“The RPNGC recognizes its limited capacity and ability to address, for example, transnational crimes and capacity building.

“For this reason, it continues strengthening its relationship with traditional partners and forging new partnerships with other law enforcement agencies and organizations in the region.”

Mr Tsiamalili jr. however described the relationship with the Australian Federal Police through the Papua New Guinea-Australia Policing Partnership (PNG-APP), as matured.

Capacity building, information sharing, and technology transfer are some of the activities undertaken by the PNG-APP program.

There will be over 130 police prosecutors graduating with Diplomas in Prosecution in the next two years, a new initiative supported by the PNG-APP to build the capacity of police prosecutors.

“The strategic partnership has mutually benefited both countries and will continue. What is required is the need to find gaps (where detected), fix them (where required), consolidate, and continue,” he added.

Minster Tsiamalili jr. has also announced that the Commissioner of Police has established a Strategic Partnership Engagement Coordination (SPEC) body to manage and coordinate bilateral, multi-lateral, and inter-government partnership arrangements.

He added the main aim of SPEC will be to coordinate resources and support, to address priority areas affecting the RPNGC, and maximize the resource support to targeted areas to improve the overall effectiveness and efficiency in delivering policing service.

The RPNGC has also forged and strengthened partnerships with the Indonesian Police, Solomon Islands Police, and the US Government law enforcement agency – Homeland Security Investigation.

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