NCD Metropolitan Commander, Chief Superintendent Warrick Simatab, has taken another crucial step towards his efforts to utilize stakeholder collaboration in policing the capital city.
This time he made a first visit to the Department for Community Development and Religion (DCDR) police reservists last Friday for any Metropolitan Commander since they passed out in 2024.
Met Supt Simatab addressed the police reservists emphasizing stakeholder collaboration with Royal PNG Constabulary (RPNGC) to boost manpower and assist with Gender Based Violence (GBV) related cases.
The DCDR police reservists unit is the initiative of Reserve Chief Sergeant / Secretary Jerry Ubase, established through an agreement with RPNG that utilizes department staff. It is the outcome of the continuous meetings and concerns raised at the GBV Parliamentary Committee.
Secretary Ubase, who is also a Reserve Chief Sergeant with the unit, said the purpose was to partner with RPNGC and support Family and Sexual Violence Units (FSVU), Homicide and Cybercrime divisions on GBV cases through a joint-policing program.
In February 2024, a total of 40 officers from the department including the Department Secretary went through an intensive training at Correctional Services Training College at Bomana for three months. However, only 24 (18 males and 6 female) made it through and passed out in April 2024.
“Since we passed out, we have been operating in Waigani Centre of National Excellence and the Operation Silver for the 2024 festive season was our first call-out,” Mr Ubase said.
“Reflecting on the progress so far with the support and guidance of the members of the Waigani Police Station we attended over 60 GBV cases from November 2024 to July 2025.”
He added that a draft memorandum of understanding would be finalized and signed to strengthen and reaffirm their corporate commitment and support to NCD command.
Secretary Ubase commended the DCDR police reservists and urged them to continue maintain and uphold the traits of RPNGC in their duties.
Met Supt Simatab commended Secretary Ubase and the police reservists for their efforts in policing the communities within the NCD.
“Reserve police play a very important role in RPNGC because we are outnumbered and I need your support,” he said.
Met Supt Simatab assured the police reservists that he would deploy them across the police stations within NCD Command attached with Homicide, Cybercrime and FSVU to mitigate manpower shortfalls.
He also commended the DCDR Police Reservists Unit for submitting their supplementary operations order for the “Operation Safe City” for the 50th Golden Jubilee independence celebrations.
Met Supt Simatab said he look forwarded to signing the MoU to reaffirm and strengthen the mutual collaboration between NCD Command and Department for Community Development and Religion.
Secretary Ubase presented the DFCDR’s Police Reservists corporate plan to Met Supt Simatab with a gift as a token of appreciation.