By FRANCIS RODNEY PULU
A total of twenty-four staff from the Department of Community Development and Religion have received certificates as police reservists.
Acting Commander for NCD/Central, Ben Turi presented the certificates at the APEC Haus in Port Moresby last Friday.
The certification follows six weeks of training at the Bomana Police Training College under the community policing and reservist training program.
Among the 24 was the department’s Secretary, Mr. Jerry Ubasse, who was given the highest rank as Chief Sergent.
In an interview with Sunday Bulletin, Secretary Ubasse expressed his satisfaction stating: “It was a millstone achievement for the department”.
With their new role apart from being as public servants, it gives them the powers to do arrests just like the regular police personnel.
Ubasse said with the department’s reservist unit based in the department, it gives him and his officers another dimension in terms of their work towards addressing issues involving marginalised and vulnerable people like the women, girls and children.
“So, with this it has now gives us another higher role of what we are doing in the department where we have now the powers of police that will help us to do our job effectively,” the Secretary said.
“And we are here to help our marginalised people like the disable people.
“We have women who cannot speak; they are mute like they cannot and sometimes men tend to abuse them so we are here to protect them.
“And we are here to investigate and get the perpetrators to justice so this is a milestone for us moving forward.
“So, I am happy that through the six weeks of hard training we have come this far by demonstrating well in terms of our drills, police reporting, filling the Occurrence Book and so on.”
Ubasse further highlighted the role of the media in promoting messages through the wider spectrum through the social media platforms to help get the information across the country.
The Deputy Registrar of Civil Registry, Mr Lucas Apingwa, also received his certificate with a position of sergeant.
On behalf of the officers Apingwa played a slide show that was compiled during their six weeks and pass out training at the Bomana Training College.
Apingwa thanked the Commissioner of Police as it was the first time under his command for the staff from the department to come out and pass out as reserve police.
He further thanked all those who were part and parcel of their training, passing out and now the certification and giving of ranks.
