Top cop Mariah unfazed by challenges

By KELVIN JOE
MARIAH Jacklyne Johns had wanted to become a teacher and even obtained a primary school teaching certificate at a teachers college.
But it only lasted for two years. She changed course and became a police officer.
Today, she boasts of being the only female provincial police commander in the country, looking after a province which shares borders with seven provinces including one in Indonesia.
But Mariah remains undaunted by the career path she chose 24 years ago.
“I wanted to explore the world around me, face the challenges, build my strength and continue serving the people as a police officer.”
Mariah, 45, is the Gulf provincial police commander with six stations and 50 officers under her command.
Her family is from East Sepik but she was born and grew up in West New Britain.
She has two sons. Before her husband passed away, he asked her that their sons be brought by his relatives.
Mariah respected his last wish and allowed their sons to be brought up by their father’s family. She supports them also.
Now she is fully concentrating on her police duty dealing with daily challenges to keep a safe and secure community.
She attended the Kavui Community School in Talasea in 1982 and completed Grade Six in 1987. She then attended the Hoskins Secondary School completing Grade 12 in 1991.

“ I wanted to explore the world around me, face the challenges, build my strength and continue serving the people as a police officer.”

She secured a place at the Madang Teachers College where she graduated after two years with a Certificate in Primary School teaching in 1994. Her first posting was to the Buvusi Primary School.
But in 1997, she accepted an offer to attend a three-year officer cadet training course at the Bomana College. She completed it in 2000.
It was the start of her journey as a police officer. She knew that the job ahead of her would be challenging but she focused on the oath she took to serve Country, the Queen and God.
She worked in various police stations taking on leadership roles. Her first posting was to the Hohola police station in Port Moresby as the station commander for three years before she was transferred to the Gordon police station.
She later was appointed second-in-charge at the Central/National Capital District command before serving as the police headquarters deputy director reserve actuary.
Maria also served as the officer in charge of the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion.
On May 16, 2018, Mariah was appointed to her current post by then Police Commissioner Gari Baki for a three-year term.
“I knew that serving the country in the disciplined forces would be challenging for a person like me so I taught myself to be strong-willed to overcome them.”
She believes that lack of security in Gulf is slowing down the delivery of public service and development of the province.
She faces many policing challenges especially manpower and logistics because of the borders shared with seven provinces – Morobe, Chimbu, Southern Highlands, Central, Eastern Highlands, Western and Merauka in Indonesia.
“We lack manpower and resources to address law and order and social issues in the province.”
She stretches the resources made available to her to ensure that law and order is maintained in the province.
She views her job as one where only the fittest and strongest can survive.
“I plan to move one step ahead at a time.”
Tough work for a police commander, even tougher for a female. But Mariah remains unfazed. It’s so different from the classroom-type environment she initially opted for.
Policing is what Senior Inspector Mariah chose instead and she is determined to make a success out of it. No stopping her now.