NCD Police urged to go back to basics

Caption: Deputy Commissioner Awan Sete (centre of pic) reviewing the guard of honour

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday. November 3, 2013 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

POLICE in NCD were urged by Deputy Police Commissioner Administration Awan Sete, to go back to the basics of policing in order to remedy the many challenges and discipline issues the constabulary faced.

In his keynote address at the Metropolitan Commander’s monthly parade, Deputy Commissioner Sete, told the officers present go back to what they had learnt at the Bomana Police College and reapply the principles of discipline in order for change to occur.

“The constabulary has a proud history but unfortunately that pride is slowly eroding because of many factors affecting our roles and responsibilities.”

“From comparison, today’s breed of police officers have forgotten the fundamental values of discipline and ethics.”

“There is no boundaries between ranks and file and respect for authority is slowly, because commissioned officers are socializing and compromising their position with members of the lower ranking bracket,” he said.

He said the scenario contributed in a big way to the breakdown of command and control within the constabulary, and resulted in the decline of standards to unacceptable levels- with many of the allegations of police of brutality ending up in litigation against the state.

The deputy commissioner was, however, optimistic of the ability for change within the ranks of police.

“I could go on and pinpoint the many glaring setbacks affecting the performance and functions of the police.”

“But as a leader within the organisation, it is also my duty to ensure that officers within the rank and file are given the opportunity to change.”

“This management is a changed management and we have achieved a lot in terms of the implementation of the Modernisation Program, which the government has thrown its full weight behind.”

Sete added that the modernisation concept though sounding complex, was possible through the change in approach in returning to basics- something he applauded the management of the NCD command under the leadership of Assistant Commissioner Jim Andrews and Metropolitan Superintendent Andy Bawa.

Hailing both for their efforts to uphold discipline and ethics, such as the monthly commander’s parade which was simple yet bolstered the overall effort of the constabulary.

“As you may have noticed, the management is keen on seeing the improvement of police operability in NCD and is doing all it can by recruiting and acquiring more personnel and patrol cars for the NCD command.”

“Other major centres throughout the nation have also or will receive similar assistance over the next five years under the ambitious modernisation program.”

“Our primary objective is to ensure police visibility and presence is felt  and acknowledged by all stakeholders across the nation.”

The new management will support all the constabulary’s land, sea, and the only air element, the police helicopter.

In addition the management under the helm of Commissioner Kulunga will embark on the prospect of increasing the constabulary’s manpower to 10,000 in five years- to meet the demands of the nation’s rapidly growing population.