Challenge to get rid of misconduct

 ELIMINATING misconduct in the police force is a major challenge, according to Police Commissioner Tom Kulunga.

Kulunga (pictured) told graduates from the Bomana Police College last Friday that he was rebuilding the organisation starting at the frontline service delivery point.

“We have the Papua New Guinea-Australia policing partnership programme to help us out,” Kulunga said.

“Increasing the number of police officers to 8,000 by 2015 is one target that we must achieve, as police stations must now provide adequate motorised patrols 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

He said this would prevent crimes and provide quick response to calls for help.

“The excuses for not attending to calls for police assistance by the general public because of no vehicle or no fuel must no longer be tolerated,” he said.

“Foot patrols provide police presence at hot-spots and give the public reassurance and peace of mind so it will be a major part of this programme.”

Kulunga told the graduates that the police modernisation programmes in the National Capital District, Lae and Mt Hagen had been launched.

Rabaul, Kimbe, Madang, Goroka and Mendi will soon have theirs too.

“The government has provided the constabulary with K265 million over the next five years for infrastructure under the modernisation programme, and we are continuing to build barracks as we move forward,” Kulunga said.