RPNGC explains engagement of foreign officers
Foreign police officers engaged by the Royal PNG Constabulary through the RPNGC's Executive Director program are selected by the RPNGC following a rigorous vetting process.
A police spokesperson said this whilst responding to queries raised by the general public in Madang Province following a sudden change of the province's police chief, which saw a Fijian national, Chief Superintendent Vakaruru Uraia taking over the top post from Acting Superintendent Robert Baim, who is a local man from Madang.
Baim was Madang's PPC for almost three years, after assuming the position in late 2023.
His term ends next month.
Chief Superintendent Uraia is amongst other Commonwealth police officers who have been appointed into provincial command roles within the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.
The police spokesman clarified that these contract officers are engaged by the RPNGC as regular members of the Constabulary.
They swear an oath of service and are subject to the Police Act of 1998, the Constabulary Standing Orders, and the Command of the Commissioner, in the same way as all other members of the RPNGC.
Funding for the RPNGC Executive Director program is made available by a grant- arrangement through the PNG-Australia Policing Partnership program.
The spokesman further explained that each Commonwealth officer engaged under the RPNGC Executive Director program is on a fixed term contract with Key Performance Indicators and deliverables, which focus on professionalisation, discipline and upskilling of the RPNGC workforce.
Commissioner Manning has emphasised that the deployment of these officers is a deliberate strategy to bring impartiality, professionalism, and decades of international policing experience into provincial commands.
This initiative reflects the Constabulary’s ongoing commitment to reform, discipline, and community policing outcomes across the country whilst mentoring and upskilling the RPNGC leadership of tomorrow.
Meanwhile, there is a general feeling of dislike in Madang towards the change in the PPC.
Many people have expressed disappointment, saying Baim has performed exceptionally well during his tenure, particularly in improving the province's law and order situation, and should be given another term in office.
They fear Madang could see an increase again in lawlessness.
Others, however; said the new PPC must be allowed to perform his duties and prove himself, and that people must not be quick to judge.
Baim, in his parting remarks, reminded all policemen and women in Madang that they all serve only one Commissioner of the day and three deputy commissioners.
"We have only one Commissioner and three deputies. We serve them only. We don't serve other masters, and we are mandated to follow command and control. So when orders come from the top, we must comply," Baim emphasized.