State okays K276 million for police modernisation programme

 THE state has approved K276 million for the police modernisation programme for 2013-2015.

This money is separate from the police annual recurrent budget, according to Commissioner Tom Kulunga.

Speaking to a parade at the opening of the Commissioner’s Conference in Lae, Morobe, Kulunga told high-ranking officials of the constabulary that the funding is a landmark decision by the government towards improving policing.

“For this year a total of K53 million has been given to us,” Kulunga said. 

He said the money had already been allocated for a number of key projects that included:

• 480 new recruits (K6.8 million)
• Housing for new recruits (K3 million)
• Increase in salary (K7.5 million)
• Bomana Civil Works (K8.3 million)
• Capital Works (K5 million)
• Lae training cells (K3.5 million)
• Forensic and fingerprint office (K3.1 million)
• Boroko police station cells (K1.1 million); and
• Renovation of provincial police cells (K3 million).

Kulunga said the police modernisation programme launched last month should not be seen as a headquarters only programme but must be rolled out to other provinces as well. 

The commissioner reiterated that discipline among members was still a problem.

He said the objectives of the modernisation programme could not be achieved unless officers changed their attitude and behaviour towards their duties.

“There needs to be greater supervision and control of our policemen and women than what we have at present,” Kulunga said.

He said, while the management was trying its best to address the different needs of the officers throughout the country, the officers must also perform their duties professionally.