Police receive late Christmas treat

Caption: Police Commissioner Tom Kulunga (center) flanked by Governor Parkop (left) and Met Supt Andy Bawa (far right)

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, January 19, 2014 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG) 

THE rain could not do much to dampen the spirits of police men and women of the NCD Command on Friday when they finally celebrated a well-earned belated Christmas and New Year party to both conclude and begin the year, at the Nature Park in Port Moresby.

Hosted by the Metropolitan Superintendent Andy Bawa, the day was filled with laughter and entertainment as officers of all ranks took the day off the seriousness of police work to be treated to a feast.

Special guests at the gathering included the Commissioner of Police Tom Kulunga, NCD Governor Powes Parkop and members of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) working under the Wok Wantaim Program and other dignitaries.

In his address, the police commissioner had nothing but praise for his officer in the NCD command for one of the safest festive period in the city had ever seen.

“From the briefs I received of the Christmas and New Year operation, from my officers, the operations have been very good,” he said.

“With the assistance of the AFP officers NCD was particularly peaceful, and rightly so a lot of credit must go to the residents in the city themselves.”

“We only contribute and tidy up things for the community, and that goes to show that people can celebrate all kinds of events without being nuisances to fellow citizens.”

He said that the rest of the country also had a peaceful festive season, which he said was a good sign for the country as people were changing and now have more respect for one another.

Met Supt Andy Bawa said that it was unfortunate that not all his officers could be present, as they were on duty around the city.

He reminded them of the many challenges they faced in the year and also thanked the commissioner for the increasing amount of resources being pumped into the command.

“With the conclusion of last year and the beginning of the new year, I want to say that in 2014 we are confident that though the road will be rough we will still see it through,” he said.

Bawa also paid tribute to the families of his officers who he said have been the ones that have sacrificed so that the rest of the city will be safe during the festive period.