Learning to protect PNG without the use of firearms

 CONGRATULATIONS to the government and Australia for the engagement of the first 30 AFP officers to serve in PNG.

Upon setting foot on our soil, they quickly sensed the fear of being unarmed  due to the inexcusable amount of risks here. 

While reading that on the front page of The National, it bothers me to think that AFP officers and their counterparts in PNG have not done enough  preparations  and planning to be deployed in PNG (Nov 5). 

Had they done so, they would have known what to do like issuing a side arm to each of them.

Alternatively, we can recall all guns from on or off duty officers here to be in line with the Australian code. 

The second option will cost more time, resources and training or rehabilitation for our police to catch up with modern policing tactics within a short a time. 

And most certainly  will cost a lot of money and time to restructure the PNGRC and that means our own police force for the first time enforce their  duties without the use of guns.

So if we let things   as they are  and arm the  AFP officers to play on level field, then do our own policemen gain anything or learn effective policing methodologies without the use of guns? 

The engagement of AFP officers is to assist and  rehabilitate  our local police and impart modern policing skills outside the gun culture. 

So the fear of being exposed to danger while enforcing their duties is certainly the biggest obstacle for both PNGRC and AFP.

Law and order problem is in fact a global phenomenon but is manageable with proper policing skills.

Anonymous, Via email