Correctional Service to deploy 800 officers for general election

By HELEN TARAWA
THE PNG Correctional Service (CS) will deploy about 800 officers for General Election 2022 (GE22), commissioner Stephen Pokanis says.
He told The National that the number was an increase of about 500 personnel compared with GE17.
He said 160 out of the 800 CS officers were undergoing a two-week training which started last week under the instruction of the Mobile Squad at McGregor Barracks.
Pokanis said these officers were training to be deployed to high risk areas as response team.
He said about 500 CS officers would be working in the provinces to help the provincial election steering committees under the command of the provincial police commanders.
“These officials will be supporting the districts assist the police, PNGDF and the Electoral Commission officials during the polling and counting period,” he said.
Pokanis said an another 300 officers would be observing the election.
He said the increase was part of the arrangement by the Commissioner of Police for CS personnel.
“The police had requested 500 more personnel for this election due to increased work load.
“They will be assisting with monitoring public areas, looking after key assets and be on standby to respond to the police for any special operations,” he said.
Meanwhile, there will be a dedication service on Monday to commission the disciplinary forces.