Water police lacks resources, manpower

Transport PNG

Water Police lacks resources and manpower to effectively monitor the waters of Papua New Guinea, an official says.
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Policy and Planning, Joab Mangae said currently the water police cannot perform its work up to standard because of the limited resources and manpower.
He said sea piracy is a growing crime in the coastal waters of Alotau, Madang and Rabaul, water police officers cannot provide sea coverage as they are no boats to do surveillance on reported cases.
“We need boats and other equipment to provide surveillance on sea piracy in the coastal waters of PNG,”
He said to provide sea coverage from Western to Northern Province requires funding support from the government.
“Currently the matter is being looked into by the office of the police commissioner and talks with the Minister for Police, Jelta Wong was successful as he discussed the issue in Parliament,”
“We hope that the government will fund the water police in doing their work more effectively in 2018,”
He said the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have assisted the water police in Port Moresby to prepare for the Asia Pacific Economic Corporation Summit in 2018.
“AFP have donated vessels to the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) to ensure that the water police secure the waters of Port Moresby during the summit,”