By GINNAH MINI
The Bomana Prosecution Training School graduated 35 police officers, both men and women, from its fourth Prosecutors Qualifying Program in Port Moresby today.
Of the 35 officers, 25 graduated with diplomas while 10 graduated with certificates.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Donald Yamasombi extended his gratitude to the trainers and Papua New Guinea-Australia Policing Partnership (PNG-APP) for training and facilitating the officers.
“This occasion is very significant, in the sense that we now have men and women who are qualified to go out and prosecute cases,” Mr. Yamasombi said.
He emphasized that having the competency to prosecute cases was important.
He told the graduates to remember that cases they would be representing were not against persons, but against the State.
“The police seem to be making a lot of arrests, but the cases that goes through for us to secure convictions is very minimal,” Mr. Yamasombi said.
“That’s the reason why the management has made a decision that we must have those Prosecution Review Committee (PRC) in every province.”
Keynote speaker and Public Prosecutor Helen Roalakona said the graduates had earned their diplomas and certificated through discipline, resilience, and commitment to justice.
Ms. Roalakona said as police prosecutors, they would occupy a unique position with PNG’s justice system.
“As police prosecutors, you stand in court to become a voice for the victims, to uphold the rule of law, and to ensure that justice is pursued fairly, professionally and without prejudice.”
She told the officers that their role was to assist the court arrive at the truth.
Ms. Roalakona also urged them to make decisions in court that is informed by law, guided by principle and respect for human dignity.
“I want to encourage us all to think about integrity as one of the most valuable assets when you work as prosecutor,” she said.