SIMBU Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Mazuc Rubiang, has issued an early warning to police officers in his command to refrain from following politicians or intending candidates, and to remain neutral because of the upcoming National General Election in April 2027.
PPC Rubiang, while issuing the instruction to all his members in the province, also called on their immediate supervisors to recall officers who are currently engaged in providing security to political leaders or intending candidates to cease their service, return to their respective areas of operation, and concentrate on their normal policing duties.
PPC Rubiang said the call is to protect his officers from any election-related crimes if they continue to hang around with those leaders.
“I want to make it clear that all Close Protection Officers (CPOs) are selected by the Deputy Commissioner – Support Services Division through trained National Security Unit personnel, and no other form of association or recruitment is authorized in the command. The police will be providing security at the coming 2027 election, and I want my officers to refrain from associating themselves with the candidates. This is an early warning, and I want all members to adhere to it,” PPC Rubiang said.
He said the directive is issued to protect the impartiality and integrity of the individuals and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary as a whole. He said strict compliance is required, and those who breach it will be dealt with accordingly.
Supt Rubiang further added that police officers must always think about their career path, their families, and the organization they are serving because it is a disciplined organization, and when instructions from above are issued, members down the ranks and files must adhere to them.
PPC Rubiang, while stressing this, also added that police will be conducting awareness on election offenses, some of which relate to police officers committing offenses during the election. He said there were some police officers who were arrested and charged by the Internal Investigation Division in the last election, and it will also happen in the coming 2027 election if police officers step out of their mandated duties.