POLICE COMMANDER’S NEW HOME COMMISSIONED IN NEW IRELAND

AFTER two decades without an official residence, the New Ireland Provincial Police Commander now has a new home following the commissioning of a purpose-built residence at the Kavieng Police Headquarters.

The residence was officially commissioned today under the Special Police Assistance Programme (SPAP), a programme aimed at strengthening police infrastructure and operational capacity.

The new facility will accommodate New Ireland Provincial Police Commander, Chief Superintendent George Fanamanu.

The commissioning marks the end of a 20-year period during which the Provincial Police Commander had no dedicated official residence after the previous house was condemned in early 2006.

The new residence is expected to improve the working conditions of the Provincial Police Commander and support the administration and operational requirements of the New Ireland Police Command.

Speaking during the commissioning, Assistant Police Commissioner – Logistics, Chris Smith also challenged police personnel to wear the police uniform with pride and recognise it as a symbol of their responsibility to serve and protect the people.

Smith stressed that professionalism, discipline and respect for the uniform were essential in maintaining public confidence in the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.

He said continued investment in police infrastructure was important in improving working conditions and enabling police officers to effectively carry out their duties.

The new residence is part of broader infrastructure development aimed at strengthening policing services in New Ireland and across the country.

Meanwhile, Chief Superintendent Fanamanu brings significant Pacific policing experience to his new role.

A senior officer from the New Zealand Police and originally from Tonga, he recently took his oath of office in Port Moresby, becoming the eighth Commonwealth police officer to join the ranks of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary under ongoing international police partnership programmes.

His appointment adds regional policing experience to the New Ireland Command as it continues to strengthen its capacity to serve communities across the province.