Police-CS lumping criticised

THE Government must reconsider its decision on lumping the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary with Correctional Services under the one Ministry of Internal Security, says Correctional Services Union president Daniel Mollen.
Mollen said this was to allow for restoration of previous arrangements where the two departments were under separate ministries and ministers.
“The decision by Prime Minister James Marape, might be a noble one, but after close scrutiny on actual work output, it is a backward step that is causing regression in the daily administration and operations of the two departments in discharging their mandated roles and duties,” Mollen said.
Mollen said since the merger, the internal security minister was more embroiled in dealing with the heightened law and order situation, especially the tribal fights that were taking place in the upper highlands region which had the potential to spread to other parts of the country.
“The Correctional Services is struggling to discharge its mandated roles and duties under the criminal justice system because of insufficient funds,” he said.
“At present as observed, the Government’s attention has been on the Royal PNG Constabulary.”
He said that the CS was in a confused state in many areas with regard to particular attention by the minister as the political head.
“From observation, the minister has not been hosted by the CS as a tradition in all disciplinary forces where a parade is held to receive a military or political head.
“Since taking up office, the minister has paid less attention to the CS Department in addressing prevailing situations in the organisation,” he said.
Mollen highlighted the unattended challenges facing all prisons relating to aging facilities built during the colonial era.
“The facilities pose an imminent danger and require immediate rehabilitation or upgrading to meet the demands of inmates, CS staff, management and administration of prisons,” he said.
He said the Government must take note that CS was the frontline department mandated to correct and reform prisoners, thus adequate funding should be given to increase its manpower capacity and upgrade its aging infrastructure.