Justus happy to have served nation

By HELEN TARAWA
Senior Sergeant Justus Baupo (left), daughter Marthina (10) (middle) and wife Patricia after receiving his Distinguished Police Service Medal at the Government House in July. Picture supplied.
SENIOR Sergeant Justus Baupo dreamt of donning a policeman’s uniform when he was young.
“I decided as a boy to join the police. As I grew up, I stayed focused on my decision until it became a reality. Being a police officer is a blessing and the uniform must be worn with pride as an identity and an authority from the

“ I have served in various sections and I am satisfied that I have served to the best of my ability, gaining experience, skills and knowledge.”

Almighty to serve the people of PNG.”
Justus, 61, is from Gona village in the Oro Bay Local Level Government in Northern.
He was motivated by his late uncle Justus Mumuniba who was a bugler in the police band in the late 1950s.
Justus attended Apugi Primary School in Kendrian district, West New Britain from Grade One to Grade Four, Gora Primary School in Afore for Grade Five and Grade Six, then Popondetta High School from Grade Seven to Grade 10.
He joined the police force on Feb 10, 1979 and served in various sections including General Duty (1979 – 1982), Mobile Squad (1983 –1994), Community Relations (1995 – 1999), Fraud Squad (2000 – 2008), International Police Criminal Organisation (2009 – 2012), Recruitment and Selection (2013 – 2016), Police Training College Bomana (2017), Special Services Division Training (2018), Airborne Tactical Unit (2019), Port Moresby Water Police (2020).
He attended training programmes here and overseas.
His commitment and loyalty earned him various service medals including the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (2017), International Law Enforcement Medal (2017) (AFP/Royal Solomon Island Police Force) Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal (2018) and the Distinguished Police Service Medal (2020).

Wife Patricia is from Bogaboga in Cape Vogel, Alotau. They have four children and one grandchild.
“We have a good family life, my wife and children are very supportive so I have achieved so much in life.”
He was part of the Covid-19 border operations which started on April 26 in Western. He is now doing normal police border operations in South Fly district, Western.
He was also part of police operations in Northern, Milne Bay, Lae, Wewak, Vanimo, Tari, Mendi, Wabag, Mt Hagen, Chimbu, Goroka, Rabaul and Bougainville.
“Police duty is a very challenging job. You are faced with all sorts of challenges in communities you serve.”
In July, Justus received the Distinguished Police Service Medal from the Queen.
“It was an honour and a big achievement. I felt blessed and thank my family, especially my wife and children.”
He believes that God had blessed him so much.
“The biggest blessing is wisdom and knowledge. I work hard to realise my purpose in life. Nothing is impossible with the Almighty.
“I have served in various sections and I am satisfied that I have served to the best of my ability, gaining experience, skills and knowledge.”
Justus believes he has done his best in the past 40 years serving the country and achieving his dream of becoming a police officer.
“I am listed on the second batch for retrenchment which is good news. Time is up. Time to leave.”