Police bring in ACP reforms

By JUNIOR UKAHA
THE Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary will appoint an assistant police commissioner to oversee reforms within the force, Police Commissioner Tom Kulunga said.
Kulunga said the position was necessary because he wanted to see the RPNGC transformed into a disciplined, professional, trusting and caring law enforcement agency propelled by reforms.
“We already have a blueprint that will transform and reform the Royal PNG Constabulary and that is the 2004 administrative review and its 61 recommendations,” Kulunga told regional and provincial police heads at the police headquarters at Konedobu, National Capital District.
“To show how serious I am with my intent to reform the Royal PNG Constabulary, I will be shortly appointing a person to the rank of assistant commissioner to take charge of the reforms. This person will be known as ACP reform.”
He said the officer would have the broad authority to effectively implement reform plans.
He said the new position also fitted in well with recommendation 20 of the 2004 administrative review which called for the establishment of the office of inspector general of police.
He said the ACP reform would oversee the implementation of the 2004 administrative review.
Kulunga said two key reforms to be considered before the end of the year were the strengthening and resourcing of the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption directorate in fighting crime and the
transformation of the Bomana Police College into a Centre of Excellence.
Kulunga also warned all police officers to “shape up or ship out”.
He said he was a firm believer and advocate of discipline and would make 2012 a year of discipline following from where former commissioner Tony Wagambie had left.
Kulunga was appointed police commissioner last week  by the national government.
Other substantial appointments made were:
lSimon Kauba, deputy commissioner operations replacing Fred Yakasa (new ACP Bougainville);
lPeter Guiness, NCD metropolitan commander replacing Joseph Tondop (new MetSupt Lae);
lAllen Kundi, ACP Momase replacing Giossi Labi (resigned); and
lThomas Eluh, ACP highlands replacing Kauba.