Police launch first water fleet for Apec

THE Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary yesterday launched its water police fleet in preparation for next year’s Apec meeting in Port Moresby.
Police Commissioner Gari Baki in an interview with The National said the inclusion of vessels for use by his water policemen was a huge step forward and he looked forward to improving in the remaining months leading up to the country’s biggest meeting.
Baki said the launching was the first for water police, which would be complemented with a workshop soon to enable police to carry out effective operations in open seas.
“It is a very big step forward and what we need to do now is to get our police identified properly to undergo training so they can operate in the open seas effectively.
“It is a challenge for us now to look and address security in and on the open seas before the start of the Apec meeting,” Baki said.
“For now we are happy with the progress so far and looking to do better each day in preparation for the country’s very important meeting next year.”
Baki said the assistance to make Apec operations effective would increase to improve on areas that needed improvement.
He said the vessels launched yesterday were the first lot and
if needed they would bring in a second set.