Police beef up airport security

By JACKLYN SIRIAS
THE increase in the number of domestic and international travellers in and out of Port Moresby is demanding a lot more security measures from the police, Civil Aviation Minister Alfred Manase said.
Manase said that it was the responsibility of the police, National Airports Corporation and his department to ensure the safe passage of passengers travelling in and out of the country during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meeting and beyond.
A new Jackson Airport Police Station opened yesterday.
“Apart from the normal policing duties that the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (police) personnel will be providing at the new airport station, they will also be policing the NAC Act to prevent airport and other related crimes,” Manase said.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Andrew Colvin acknowledged the partnership between the NAC, AFP and PNG police.
“Airport policing gives the first taste of the hospitality visitors want to feel when they go anywhere in the world,” Colvin said.
He said the e airport police station gave people confidence that their safety was catered for.
Police Commissioner Gari Baki thanked the AFP for its help in the construction of the police post.
“It is important that the efforts have been put together collectively and directed towards strengthening our efforts in preparing for Apec as it is the current important matter that we need to address,” he said.
He said they had almost a year ago talked about capacity-building in the police force.
“I am pleased to note today that the RPNGC has come a very long way in having to advance not only this facility but all the other capabilities that have been built towards assisting us prepare for Apec,” he said.
Baki said the challenge was maintaining the facilities.
He said the airport facilities had enough capacity for criminal investigations, family and sexual violence, bomb search, dog unit and community policing to provide the airport precinct with increased policing capability to ensure stakeholders and the travelling public were provided safety and security not only for Apec but well into the future.