By SHEILA LASIBORI
Their womenfolk wiped away tears, others caught in the moment fought back tears as three men were called upon to give up faded blue uniforms which they had worn with pride and dignity over the past 30 years.
In the place of the old uniforms, the trio received new ones but this they will may never wear, it will take its place among family treasures to remind them of the years they served as member of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.
"They have 'yellow bones.' That is what we call them in the Special Services Division (SSD)," Police Commissioner Gari Baki said as he spoke highly of the trio who were retiring.
Senior Constables Allan Tolire, Wesley Niut and Donald Pangai were honored last Friday by the members of the SSD during a parade at the McGregor SSD Directorate outside Port Moresby.
These three men were no ordinary policemen but those who laid their lives down to protect the lives of some of Papua New Guinea's distinguished leaders and statesmen.
Tolire, Niut and Pangai were modest about their achievements within the Force, choosing instead to humbly bow out echoing words of wisdom and prosperity to their colleagues.
Snr Const Niut, 51, from Viviran village in Toma area of East New Britain (ENB) Province, retired 'spotless' off any disciplinary actions against him.
"I see that when we (officers) hold the Bible and call the name of God, Queen of England, and the country, its very hard to do things that are wrong in the Police Force," he said and urged officers to perform their duties prior to making complaints against anything.
"I am proud to retire with a clean record," he said.
Snr Const Tolire, 54, from Ramalma village along the North Coast also in ENB was especially thankful for the inaugural parade held in their honor.
"It is good to have been honored," he said.
During Mr Tolire's 38 years service to the Police Force and SSD in particular, he had learnt that for a police officer to honorably leave the service, the officer must have patience and be prepared to carry out orders from those in charge, unconditionally.
"To come this far and finish properly," he said.
Snr Const Pangai, 46, from Poho village in the Aeka area of Oro Province, called for self discipline among officers.
"Police Force is a good department," he said adding the department had looked after him even when he had fallen sick and was unable to attend active duties during his career.
The National Security Unit (NSU) commander Snr Inspector Nelson Chanei, who organised the parade, said the event was the first of its kind because there was a need to honor distinguished servicemen upon their retirement.
SSD coordinates NSU and mobile squad (MS).
Mr Baki challenged those who gathered to see the service of the three former officers as an example to work towards a honorable discharge from the Force.
"Your departing should be a shining object for young officers to carry up. Discipline is paramount. We survived on Bougainville because of discipline," he said.
"Image is (being) on duty and off duty. Image is about not intimidating an old woman. Image is about not drinking (alcohol) in uniform," he said and reiterated the need for the Police Force to improve its image.
He also presented the retirees their pension books.
Mr Niut now ready to return home to Viviran said he decided to retire on pension so he could enjoy his old age back home.
He joined the Royal PNG Constabulary on October 4, 1972 at the age of 16 after completing standard (grade) six at Turan Community School.
The police intake course was six months, so after graduation (pass out) in 1973 he was posted to Tomaringa in Rabaul where he joined the Police Mobile Force (now Mobile Squad).
He was then transferred to Arawa in Bougainville (now Autonomous Bougainville region) in 1974, returned to Tomaringa in 1976, then in 1980 was posted to McGregor Barracks when it was established.
Mr Niut was attached with NSU and served as close protection officer providing bodyguard duties to parliamentarians, the Governor-Generals and some senior statesmen.
He said most of his protection officer duties were performed around Sir Michael Somare and he also provided guard to former GG the late Sir Tore Lokoloko and former deputy PMs Moses Maladina, Sir Moi Avei, and also served in the diplomatic unit (2000).
It was in 2002 while with Sir Michael that he thought it was time to 'call it a day'.
Mr Tolire joined the Force on February 13, 1969 after completing standard (grade) six at Kabakada Community School.
The father of three and grandfather to two, he started his career in general duties and traffic in NCD before joining the Police Mobile Force.
In 1970 a mataungan movement in Rabaul caused most of his 'wantoks' to leave the Force and return home but he remained.
In 1983, he joined NSU where he worked closely with Sir Michael and former PMs Paias Wingti and Sir Julius Chan, and Chief Justice Sir Mari Kapi. He worked until his retirement on January 31 this year.
Mr Pangai, father to five and grandfather to two is looking forward to return home to Pongoro to work on his two oil palm blocks.
Born in 1951, the year in which Mt Lamington in Oro Province erupted, he joined the RPNGC on October 13, 1969.
After completing the required six-month course at Bomana Police College, Mr Pangai got his first posting to Tomaringa and joined the Mobile Force (now MS) from 1971 to 1972.
In 1973 he was posted to Gordon Barracks in NCD, Kilakila (1974), Mt Hagen (1979), and then in October 1985 got posted to McGregor where he also joined the NSU.
He served as a close protection officer to former deputy PMs Akoka Doi, Ted Diro, and also to former GG the late Sir Tore.
In 2004 and 2005 he was attached with Sir Michael Somare.
"It was beginning in 2006 that I applied to retire on pension," Mr Pangai said.
He retired on December 30, 2006.

 

 

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