City police undergo rehabilitation programme

WITH a growing number of complaints against police personnel around the country during the state of emergency period, one commander has instituted training for his officers to address this issue.
The training aims to ensure professionalism and competency is maintained in the Royal PNG Constabulary as well as improving its public image.
National Capital District Met Supt Perou N’dranou designed a three-week rehabilitation programme particularly for the Fox Units hoping to restore and maintain public trust and confidence.
He said the programme was similar to the one used at the height of the Bougainville crisis in the early 1990s where policemen returning from the battle front were put through various phases of counseling and rehabilitation to help them to recover from the stress they had gone through while on duty.
Met Supt N’dranou said the programme would remind them about their roles and responsibilities as law enforcement officers in their communities.
The programme included classroom sessions and various outdoor activities to relieve stress including swimming.
Met Supt N’dranou said police encountered stressful and challenging situations daily while attending to complaints and performing other essential functions.
He said the public’s disregard for the laws and defiance also added to the stressful issues they encounter everyday.