54 OFFICER CADETS COMMISSIONED AT BOMANA
BY JORDON VELA
FIFTY four Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary officer cadets have been commissioned as inspectors following the Intake 1 of 2023 Commissioning Parade at the Bomana Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Centre of Excellence today.
The graduating class comprises 49 male and five female officers who completed the Officer Cadet Program after being selected from an initial intake of 63 candidates in November 2023.
The 54 cadets were presented in two squads, with 26 officers in the first squad and 28 in the second.
The commissioning parade was also the first time RPNGC officer cadets passed out in a parade carrying swords.
Prime Minister James Marape attended as guest of honor, alongside Parade Host and RPNGC Commissioner David Manning, Assistant Commissioner Training and Centre of Excellence Commander Silva Sika, and other senior government and police officials.
In his address, Marape congratulated the new inspectors and said their commissioning placed significant responsibility on them to serve the country.
He also spoke about the need to strengthen the capacity of the constabulary to meet the country’s policing needs.
“Since 2019, we have been in the business of working for our country, and one of the core work is to maintain law and order and peace. We knew one of the greater work we must do is to capacitate our police force.”
Marape told the newly commissioned officers they would form part of the next generation of police leadership.
“Beyond Manning, beyond the current leadership, it’s you who will hold the country for the next 20, 30, 40 years. In fact, the next 50 years,” Marape said.
He urged the officers to remain committed to the Constitution, the national flag and the people they serve.
“Don’t let your work down. Don’t let your country down. Don’t let your family down. Don’t let yourself down as you work under the command of the Commissioner of Royal PNG Constabulary,” he said.
Marape also warned the officers against accepting bribes and improper benefits while carrying out their duties.
“The way you will serve your country now and your community now is accepting pride, accepting secrets, accepting bribes, accepting favors from anyone out there,” he said.
Commissioner Manning also addressed the graduating cadets, emphasizing the responsibility that comes with becoming a commissioned officer.
He described the graduating officers as part of the next generation of leaders in the constabulary.
“The next generation of leaders, the next generation of those who will make the change in our family, who contribute to the visibility, to take your rightful place, both in the region,” Manning said.
Manning urged the officers to approach policing as a commitment to public service.
“Through your venues, through your provinces, through your villages, through your lands, and lead it without a doubt of their minds, you are prepared to serve.”
“You are here to lead this country, lead this to live.”
He also reflected on his own experience and that of other officers who had previously stood on the same parade ground.
“For those of us who have been on this parade ground in the past, probably say that some of us on this parade ground floor in the last 30 years, we’re in the same shoes you are now standing in,” Manning said.
“Probably was confused about what we wanted, what we needed to know for the health and energy. Always determined.”
The commissioning was attended by senior RPNGC officers, government representatives, police partners and members of the cadets’ families.
Among those present were RPNGC Highlands Region Operations Commander Senior Superintendent Wagambi, Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander John Sagom, NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Warrick Simatab, Correctional Institutional Services Commissioner Noel Sarei, and NCD and Central Province Police Commander Benjamin Turi.
Representatives of the Australian Federal Police and other partner agencies also attended the ceremony.
The 54 officers now enter commissioned service with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary following completion of the Intake 1 of 2023 Officer Cadet Program.
