PPC: Enough officers for PNG Games duty

By GABRIEL LAHOC
A POLICE force of about 100 will keep an eye on the thousands of sports athletes, officials and visitors expected to travel to East New Britain next month to be part of the fifth PNG Games in Kokopo.
ENB provincial police commander Chief Supt Sylvester Kalaut, who was in Lae for the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary review of security operations in the national elections, said.
Requests from the police in the province have been made to the PNG Games host organising committee.
“It is estimated that more than 100 police personnel will be involved basically because of the huge numbers of people going into the province.
“We are expecting large numbers of people so we will need that manpower provide security and ensure an incident-free games,” he said.
“Preparations are well underway, people are happy.
“East New Britain is a peaceful province, I appeal to all those who are coming to observe the rule of law because police will be on hand to ensure there is no trouble and the games are played peacefully,” he said.
Kalaut said there was no need to send in additional police because ENB had an estimated 300 active and reserve personnel.
“We have our own local troops.
“We have two mobile squads in Tomaringa and I will utilise our manpower in the province so we see no problem with that.
“We want to ensure that everyone enjoy the games,” he said.