Policewomen to bolster FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup security

Sports

CLOSE to 200 women police officers will be participating in the Fifa Under-20 Women’s World Cup security operations.
A three-day workshop started on Monday at the Laguna Hotel for 51 policewomen who have been assigned as team security liaison officers (TSLOs) to the 16 participating teams.
Local organising committee security manager, Hetahu Lohia said the workshop was to familiarise the women with their roles and responsibilities during the tournament.
They will be working closely with the team liaison officers (TLOs) because they will be with the teams throughout the tournament.
Similar to the Tri-Nations tournament, each team will be allocated two to three TSLOs and a TLO, who will be attached with the teams for the duration of the tournament.
Police Commissioner, Gari Baki in opening the workshop, congratulated the officers who were selected to be team security liaison officers and said the principal security for the Fifa U20 Women’s World Cup lay entirely on the Royal PNG Constabulary women.
He said besides the TSLOs, 130 policewomen from the other centres would be flown into Port Moresby to start security operations at the end of the month.
Four officers have also been appointed to be venue commanders and will be stationed at the match venues.
“I had given an undertaking that I want our policewomen to be at the forefront and that is why we’ll be deploying a big number of policemen for this tournament,” he said.
Commissioner Baki encouraged the women officers to be ambassadors for PNG and RPNGC because it would be the first time for PNG to host an international football event.
It would also mean that the RPNGC would be under the spotlight as the lead agency in providing security for the teams coming.
“The challenge will be an eye opener for every one of us because it is the first occasion that will put us under the spotlight and also prepare us for future international events,” Baki said.
“The challenge is there, what you do now will have a reflection on how we prepare ourselves for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit as well, because we will use the experience that you have gained through the Fifa tournament to assist us in planning for Apec,” Baki said.
The security operations order has had input from the National Intelligence Organisation and other security partners to ensure the safety and security of fans, international media and teams that will be in Port Moresby during the three-week tournament.
The first phase of the three-phase operation commences at the end of this month.