Tewi stays true to law dream

By LIBERT SANGUNDI
TRUEESAR Tewi, an inspector with the Royal PNG Constabulary attached to the Bomana National Centre of Excellence, achieved a lifelong ambition when she was admitted to the bar of the National and Supreme courts of Papua New Guinea recently.
“My desire to be a lawyer kept me going regardless of the many challenges encountered during my training,” Tewi said.
“I was passionate about pursuing a law degree at the University of Papua New Guinea and become a lawyer because it complements my job in the police force.
“As a lawyer, I now have an understanding of the rule of law which will allow me perform my role effectively.”
Tewi, 36, is from Buyang village in Manus. Her dad John recently died, and mum Elizabeth kept on encouraging her daughter to pursue her dreams.
Tewi completed her primary and secondary schooling in Manus, attending Pombrut Primary School (grades one to eight). She then went on to Manus Secondary School (grades nine and 10) and did her senior high school years at Papitalai Secondary (grades 11 and 12).
She then applied and was accepted as a police recruit in June 2008. She graduated and passed out as a probationary constable officer in March 2009 and served with the National Security Unit at McGregor Police Barracks from 2009 to 2015.
She then applied for a cadet officer training and was accepted and commenced training in 2016.

“I underwent two years of intensive training at the Joint Forces Academy at Igam Barracks, Lae, from 2016 to 2017.
“After completing training, I was commissioned as a sub-inspector and posted to Bomana Police College as course manager to the RPNGC cadet training programme.”
Tewi was later promoted to manager of the National Centre of Excellence (Bomana Police College).
“I was motivated to take up law studies at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) by firstly pursuing a diploma in law (prosecution), which is offered to professional people,” she said.
“I always believed in standing up for the right things and provide better ways to serve and protect the rights of people.”
Tewi applied to the UPNG School of Law and was accepted to study for a Diploma in Law Prosecution in 2015.
“Due to career progression decisions, I decided to withdraw from studies and continued working with RPNGC.”
However, Tewi never gave up on her dream to be a lawyer and re-enrolled in 2018 while undergoing on-job-training in her cadet training at Igam, working as a commissioned officer with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary at the Boroko Police Station.
“I completed the two-year diploma programme and graduated in 2019 and continued my career with the Royal PNG Constabulary.
“As part of the requirement of the UPNG law school, I had to go and work for two years before I could be eligible to re-enroll for a Bachelor of Law.”
Tewi applied for re-enrolment in 2020 at UPNG and was accepted to do her third year in the Bachelor of Law which she completed in 2022 and graduated last April.
“After graduating in 2023, I applied to the Legal Training Institute (LTI) and was accepted as a trainee lawyer.
“It’s really challenging to be employed full time and studying at the same time,” Tewi said.
“I was removed from my position, suspended for six months, put off the payroll and charged with taking up training even though it was under departmental-approved studies.
“But because I was passionate about it, I had to push through to see my dream come through regardless of the obstacles encountered.
“I lost my father last year while studying but I never give up on my dream to be a lawyer and, after the burial, I came back and continued my studies.”
Tewi’s mother Elizabeth was proud to see her daughter admitted to the bar.
“I see my hard work paid off when my daughter was admitted to the bar as a lawyer,” she said.
“As a parent, I stood behind her in terms of paying her school fees, encouraging her and praying for her. Now we have our first daughter in the family who is a lawyer which all of us were so proud.
“It’s the first time in our family, clan and community for a woman to be a lawyer and everyone in the community are so happy.”
Tewi acknowledged her husband, her family, the Police Department and her law school colleagues for their support during the course of her studies.
“I would like to thank my husband for being able to provide when I couldn’t, for being both parents to our children, for his support, understanding and for sharing this dream which has finally become a reality,” Tewi said.
“All this would not have been possible without our heavenly Father in Heaven. For He alone knows the plans that we have, plans to prosper and not to harm us.
“We may have plans and dreams, but He alone has the last say.
“All things are made possible through Christ Jesus. All Glory and honour to Him.”