The eight Commonwealth Police Officer to join the RPNGC, originally from Tonga who served in the New Zealand Police, has sworn his oath of allegiance to serve the people of Papua New Guinea.
The Commissioner of Police, David Manning, said Chief Superintendent Siaosi (George) Fanamanu brings experience, a disciplined approach and an understanding of Pacific Policing.
“We are upgrading the RPNGC by dismissing personnel that are unfit for service, training more than 1,400 recruits each year, improving the skills of existing offices, and enhancing the force with Commonwealth Police officers,” Commissioner Manning stated.
“These Commonwealth Police are important for the RPNGC as they bring an unbiased approach to our communities, share policing methods from other countries and have a desire to play their role in improving law and order in PNG.
“They are integrated into the RPNGC’s command structure and are posted into line positions with the same policing authority as the PNG personnel they serve alongside.
“Importantly, they do not have immunity and are fully accountable for their conduct under PNG laws, which had been the sticking point with previous attempts to bring foreign police in to work with our personnel.
“Our people and Leaders trust and appreciate the value that Commonwealth police officers bring to the RPNGC in areas such as the Internal Affairs Division, the National Fraud and Anti‑Corruption Directorate, Crimes Division, Water Police and Provincial Commands.
“Importantly, our rank and file Police members have a positive response to serving with Commonwealth Officers, who have been selected through a rigorous recruitment process, and there is mutual respect for each other.
“Papua New Guinea has the largest Pacific Islands Police Force and we continue to strengthen our ranks to better serve our people, while also setting an example in the region.
“Chief Superintendent Fanamanu has decades of leadership experience in the New Zealand Police Force dealing with chronic law and order issues including youth crime, family violence and confrontations between ethnic groups.
“At a regional level he served as the Team Leader for the Solomon Island Police Support Programme and in the Tonga Police Development Programme. He will make an effective contribution at a community level and as part of the reforms underway in the RPNGC.”
Chief Superintendent Fanamanu has been appointed as the Provincial Police Commander (PPC) for New Ireland Province, and said his priority is building relationships with community leaders and their people.
“I am a Pacific man, who was raised in the traditions of my people, gained my policing skills in New Zealand, and now I have the opportunity to serve my brothers and sisters of PNG,” Chief Superintendent Fanamanu said on taking his position in Kavieng.
“I believe that policework begins and ends in local communities, Churches, women’s groups and youth organisations, and that will be my focus with our Provincial Command.
“The upcoming elections will also be a priority over the coming year. As Commissioner Manning has stated, this is the people’s election. My role is to lead police in the province in preventing unlawful mischief or manipulation by agitators, as wells as stopping criminal elements trying to undermine the democratic process.
“I will ensure the neutrality and impartially of the RPNGC in supporting the Electoral Commission to deliver free and fair elections in New Ireland Province.”
With support from the PNG‑Australia Policing Partnership program, there are currently eight Commonwealth Police sworn into the RPNGC. There are also a number of applications submitted by serving and former police from countries from across the Pacific.
“These are highly experienced and professional Police, who conduct themselves with a firm hand and have no family connections with people or groups that come into contact with Police in PNG,” Commissioner Manning noted.
“Our goal with the recruitment of Commonwealth Officers is to bring in personnel that have traditional policing values, deep cultural understanding, and will execute their authority without fear or favour to enforce the law.
“There are several requests from Provincial Governments to appoint Commonwealth Police to their areas, particularly where there are serious crime issues. We are implementing the Commonwealth Police program carefully so that we only recruit personnel that are the right fit for our country, and can work effectively alongside all personnel as we continue to restore discipline in the RPNGC.”