Commissioner of Police David Manning has temporarily suspended the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) Officer Cadet recruitment process to review regional underrepresentation and ensure applicants from all provinces have a fair opportunity to join the police force.
Commissioner Manning said the decision was made before the interview stage to investigate why some regions recorded lower levels of representation in the current recruitment process.
“This is our nation’s police force. It must serve all Papua New Guineans and reflect the people of every province. Public confidence begins with a recruitment process that is fair and can stand up to scrutiny,” Manning said.
He said the review would examine the factors contributing to the low number of applications from certain regions, including education standards, health requirements and difficulties accessing supporting documentation.
“We must recognise the barriers that can affect applications from different provinces. We cannot accept these barriers without examining them, and we will not ignore the people they affect,” he said.
Manning said the review would establish where applicants were falling short of the requirements and identify the reasons behind the shortcomings while maintaining the recruitment standards expected of future police leaders.
A total of 3,304 applications were received for the current Officer Cadet recruitment, with 1,485 applicants shortlisted for initial interviews with RPNGC recruitment staff.
He said the Constabulary’s electronic recruitment systems ensured that applications were processed transparently and could be reviewed to strengthen accountability.
“Let me be clear: recruitment standards will not be lowered. Building a force that reflects every province and maintaining high standards are responsibilities we must uphold together. Every applicant is assessed fairly against the required standards,” Manning said.
Following the review, the recruitment process will proceed to interviews, with successful candidates undertaking physical evaluations. Applicants will then be assessed on their suitability to undergo officer training and eventually lead with discipline and integrity.
Manning said the temporary pause, expected to last a few weeks, was necessary to maintain public confidence and ensure the selection process was impartial.
He also highlighted the rigorous nature of Officer Cadet training, noting that of more than 3,000 applicants in 2023, only 63 commenced the three-year training programme, with 54 eventually commissioned as Inspectors in October this year.
“We expect the best from the future leaders of our Police Force. Our responsibility is to build a capable, disciplined national police force that all Papua New Guineans can trust and see themselves reflected in,” he said.
The Commissioner said a public notice would be issued once the review was completed, informing applicants and the public of its findings and the next steps in the Officer Cadet recruitment process.