By SEPKOLIN WALNE
A total of 66 police reservists received their certificates following a two-week riot training course.
The training course was derived from public order management, and the module is called non-legal riot control.
During the course, participants learned about the legal use of force, which can be applied in different scenarios.
In two main instances, the response unit is instructed not to fire high-powered firearms to disperse crowds.
As first responders to public disorders, reservists must adopt a non-legal approach to hold the ground until Special Service Division units are called in.
Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Training and Commandant of the National Center of Excellence, Chief Supt Silva Sika, said the training was needed to address law and order issues in the NCD.
“So many escalations of crime in the city, so many interventions, ideas from the past trying to deal with escalating crime in the city.
“As much as the crime is escalating, there’s a demand for advocating manpower to resource them and support the commander in dealing with the crime in the city,” ACP Sika said.
Acting ACP and Central Police Command Benjamin Turi said the reservists were the backbone of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC).
“On the “Black Wednesday” when police were outnumbered by opportunists who looted and burned shops, the riot training, the vehicles, helmets, and other gear will now help the police respond to riots in the city,” he said.
“We have meetings with business houses who also need protection from the public causing trouble on the streets, and they have supported us.”
ACP Turi said the Vision City Mega Mall provided the reservists with batons and other materials.
“This is only two weeks of training, and we are still planning to equip every police officer and reservist with full gear,” he said.
He added that NCD Governor Powes Parkop and Police Minister Sir John Pundari had instructed them to recruit more reservists.
“We are ready to recruit from Hanuabada, Gereka, city watch those on priority list and city wardens, ACP Turi said.
“A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be signed with NCD Governor Parkop, bringing all under the NCD reservists or city operational units.
“Once we have trained them, the reservists will monitor crime hot spots across the city, with some operating vehicles, CCTV, and coordinating with regular police.”