PNG-Australia policing partnership reaches EHP

By ZACHERY PER
THE Australia-Papua New Guinea police partnership programme reached Eastern Highlands last week with a visit by two Australian Federal Police officers.
Lae-based Australian police officers Insp Jim Edwards and Insp Samantha Donaghue visited Goroka police station and met with Eastern Highlands police commander Supt David Seine Jr and senior police officers.
Edwards said the partnership had been going on for years to help lift the performance of local officers.
“The partnership was concentrated in Port Moresby and Lae but is now starting to reach provinces. And Eastern Highlands is one of the first provinces to benefit,” he said.
“We are happy to be in Goroka to meet with Supt Seine.”
Edwards said his team in Lae looked after the northern region.
“We had fruitful meetings with PPC, section heads, staff including the women’s advisory network. We discussed ways to improve policing,” he said.
“We were happy to travel to Henganofi, Kainantu and Yonki (and talked to officers) to understand difficulties, achievements and areas which need improvements.
“We are not here to tell you (constabulary) what to do but to improve practices and procedures. We want to develop highly disciplined young police officers to do investigations, prosecution, training, juvenile justice, to name a few.”
Seine said the Australia-Papua New Guinea partnership had been working very well.
“They have been very supportive in up-skilling and enhancing existing manpower,” he said.
He said Goroka police were looking to work closely with them to improve their policing skills.