The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) has received a significant boost to its policing capabilities with the handover of a Police Patrol Vessel (PPV) from the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
The vessel, named PPV Minigulai, was officially commissioned and handed over by Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus KC MP on 18 June 2024.
On the occasion, Attorney-General Dreyfus said: “Our partnership is based on our common history, our close geography and our shared vision for a peaceful, safe and prosperous Pacific.”
Originally acquired from the Tasmanian Police, PPV Minigulai will play a crucial role in combating transnational crime and supporting joint cross-border operations.
As part of the handover, the AFP, through the PNG-Australia Policing Partnership (PNG-APP), will collaborate closely with the RPNGC Water Police Directorate to train officers in the vessel’s operation.
The vessel is set to enhance the RPNGC’s ability to deliver policing services to remote coastal communities across Papua New Guinea.
AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw expressed pride in supporting the commissioning of PPV Minigulai, highlighting its importance in border protection, rescue operations, and marine enforcement.
“Police Patrol Vessel Minigulai is an important tool in the fight against transnational organised crime, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with the RPNGC to help keep communities safe,” Commissioner Kershaw said.
RPNGC Commissioner David Manning emphasised the vessel’s role in strengthening the rule of law in remote areas and maintaining a strong maritime presence.
“This new Police Patrol Vessel is the largest maritime asset in the RPNGC fleet, and will ensure we continue to develop capacity, delivering effective policing services across our country,” he said.
During his visit to Port Moresby, Mr Dreyfus toured the Bomana Police Training College with Commissioners Kershaw and Manning. The college will host a new Recruit and Investigations Training Centre, a project under the PNG-Australia Bilateral Security Agreement, aimed at providing a regional centre of excellence for developing key police capabilities across the Pacific.
RPNGC officers showcased less-than-lethal use of force training to the visiting delegation, a training initiative supported by the AFP through the PNG-APP. This training addresses a capability gap in handling civil disorder and armed offenders and is currently being rolled out in Port Moresby and Lae, with plans to extend to other provincial centres including Mount Hagen and Kokopo.
In line with Australia’s commitments under the bilateral security agreement, the AFP is also supporting the construction of police housing across priority provinces. The first police barracks-style accommodations will be built in Port Moresby, Kokopo, and Mount Hagen, facilitating the deployment of RPNGC recruits to regional centres upon graduation.
Further solidifying the partnership, Commissioners Kershaw and Manning signed an extension of the Advisory Deployment of Australian Federal Police Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement ensures AFP advisors will continue their close collaboration with the RPNGC until at least June 2027.
Commissioner Kershaw reaffirmed the AFP’s commitment to the partnership, stating, “The AFP and RPNGC have a longstanding and positive relationship, and we look forward to continuing our cooperation to equip the RPNGC with the support and tools needed for effective policing.”
Commissioner Manning echoed this sentiment, noting the strength and maturity of the relationship between the RPNGC and AFP. “Through the PNG-Australia Policing Partnership, we are delivering region-leading training and capabilities to our police force and supporting similar capabilities across our region,” he said.
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