New police management urged to work with union

THE Police Association has appealed to the new police management to work closely with the union to promote the interest of police personnel and their families.
Association general-secretary Clemence Kanau said the union was looking forward to working closely with newly appointed acting Police Commissioner Tony Wagambie and his deputy Fred Yakasa.
“The Police Association in close assistance from Royal PNG Constabulary (RPNGC), has negotiated and secured funding agreements with the national government to improve and protect the welfare of the police personnel throughout the country.”
He said the implementation of such agreements as free compulsory insurance cover for police personnel, retirement and the golden handshake scheme, housing policy and many others that were still on the drawing board for negotiations.
“The changes in the top management must not disrupt, but rather, acknowledge its existence and promote them.
“The association anticipates a cordial and mutual working relationship with Wagambie and Yakasa for the interest of the police personnel and their families,” Kanau said in his congratulatory message to to the two who were appointed by the National Executive Council last week.
He said the association’s statement in relation to Gari Baki’s suspension last week did not question the integrity, experience and management skills of Wagambie and Yakasa, but it did question the prerogative of the government to hire and fire.
“As a union that represents police personnel who are employed by the state through RPNGC, the employment terms and conditions are guided by the public service General Orders and Management Act,” he said, adding that the association only questioned the processes and procedures applied to suspend not only Baki, but other departmental heads.
Kanau said the appointment of Wagambie and Yakasa would now put to rest the delicate issue of instability within the RPNGC.
“Wagambie is a veteran police officer with so much experience, very determined, intelligent and has a strong disciplinary proponent deputy in Yakasa, the police force will be adequately managed until the government makes a permanent appointment,” Kanau said.