Kulunga: Police will get resources

 POLICE officers will be provided resources to carry out their work but they must also stick to basics and follow procedures, Police Commissioner Tom Kulunga says.

He gave the assurance while presenting four new vehicles to Momase divisional commander acting assistant commissioner Nema Mondiai in Lae last Thursday.

He was in Lae with 22 provincial police commanders for a two-day commissioner’s conference at the PNG Forest Research Institute.

“More resources will be bought and delivered to police throughout the country,” he said.

“Existing facilities and institutions will be rehabilitated under the modernisation programme.”

Kulunga told officers to watch their conduct and attitude in public and comply with the code of ethics to win back public trust and confidence.

Kulunga said the Bomana Police College would be upgraded into a Centre of Excellence with the assistance of the Australian police through AusAID.

The Government has provided K275.7 million in the 2013-17 budget to modernise the police force.

“Police officers need to embrace these changes by reforming their attitude and behaviour because modernisation programme is all about re-introducing basic policing methods with renewed vigour and vision aimed at restoring and instilling trust and confidence to communities we serve,” he said.

He was referring to the unwanted use of firearms causing injuries and deaths which not only tarnished the image of the police force but also cost the State millions in compensation.