Manning confirmed as head of police

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
DAVID Manning has been confirmed as Police Commissioner – becoming the second officer from East New Britain and the 19th in the country to be appointed to that position.
Police Minister Bryan Kramer yesterday confirmed the appointment after Manning’s three-month term as acting commissioner lapsed last Tuesday.
Prime Minister James Marape signed the National Executive Council decision yesterday and congratulated Manning in the presence of Kramer.
Manning could not be reached for a comment yesterday.
He was appointed acting commissioner three months ago to replace Francis Tokura who had to return to Bougainville as its Police Service Commander to oversee the security operations during the Bougainville referendum.
Tokura was appointed acting commissioner in July to replace Gari Baki.
Manning joined the constabulary in 1997 as an officer cadet at the Bomana Police College.
PNG’s first police commissioner was Pois Kerepia from Bougainville who was appointed in February 1976. He was followed by William (Bill) Tiden from ENB (1977-79), Philip Bougra from Central (1979-1982), Henry Tokam from Chimbu (1982-84), David Tasion of Manus (1984-88), Paul Tohian of New Ireland (1988-90), Ila Geno from Central (1990-92), Henry Tokam of Chimbu (1992-96), Robert Nenta of Western Highlands (1996-97), Peter Aigilo of West New Britain (1997-99), John Wakon from Manus (1999-2001), Joseph Kupo of Chimbu (2001-02), Sam Inguba of Morobe (2002- 07), Gary Baki of West New Britain, (2007-11), Anthony Wagambie of East Sepik (2011), Toami Kulunga of WHP (2011-2014), Geoffrey Vaki of Central (2014-2015), Gary Baki of WNB (2015-2019), and now David Manning of ENB.