Duban aims to boost police morale

By LESLIE OMARO
POLICE Minister Nixon Duban is determined to boost the morale of the police force and believes the key to that is looking after their welfare.
The Madang governor, was among the 111 members of parliament at the opening of the ninth national parliament in Port Moresby yesterday.
He said he wanted to get a full briefing on his ministry before starting to plan his priorities and goals.
But, Duban said, from his observation as a first-time minister, morale in the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary had hit rock bottom.
He said a lot of work needed to be done to instill pride back into the force.
He said he had some goals that he wanted to achieve as police minister and among them were housing and building regional academies.
“I believe that in order to boost to the morale of policemen and women in the country, they must be given decent accommodation because housing is an issue for the force in the country,” he said.
Duban said policemen and women must wear their uniforms with respect and pride and their conduct in the community must be acceptable. 
“Police are not in a situation to combat crime as firstly, manpower is one policeman to 1000-plus people and this is a very bad indication,” he said.
He said with of the lack of manpower in almost all provinces recruitment was vital to help fight crime.
“I’m ready to use my opportunity to increase police recruitment in the country by building regional academies in Mamose, Highlands, Islands and Southern.
“I believe by building each region a police academy, it will have a huge impact on recruitment in the country,” Duban said.