This week, cadets from the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) successfully completed an intensive training program, marking a significant milestone in a joint initiative involving the Australian Federal Police (AFP), RPNGC, and Queensland Police Service (QPS).
The program’s closing ceremony, held in Manly yesterday, was attended by notable dignitaries, including Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, PNG Minister for Police Peter Tsiamalili Junior, AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw, and RPNGC Commissioner David Manning, who extended their congratulations to the cadets.
Launched in May, the program saw over 60 RPNGC cadets undergo rigorous training across north Queensland and Sydney, aimed at enhancing their policing and leadership capabilities.
This initiative represents the first collaboration of its kind between the AFP, QPS, and RPNGC since 2019, when specialist officers from PNG participated in the PNG-Australia Policing Program (PNG-APP) in Cairns. It also marked the inaugural delivery of such a comprehensive training program in Australia for Pacific police, with some cadets travelling overseas for the first time.
The cadets were given opportunities to hone their leadership skills, decision-making abilities, and adaptability in various operational settings. Their training included a two-week placement with the QPS, where they were deployed to stations in Cairns and Townsville to shadow senior officers and gain firsthand experience of the Australian policing environment.
The program concluded in Sydney with a Policing Leadership Program at the Australian Institute of Police Management in Manly.
AFP Commissioner Kershaw praised the program as a testament to the strong partnership between the AFP and its domestic and international counterparts.
“Programs like this further enhance the AFP’s strong relationships across the Pacific and allow us to continue working together to combat regional transnational crime,” said Commissioner Kershaw. “These cadets will be the future leaders of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, and the skills they have acquired will help keep their communities safe when they return to PNG. We are proud of this program and hope to continue it in the future.”
Queensland Police Service Assistant Commissioner Kevin Guteridge expressed his pride in hosting the cadets in Cairns and Townsville, noting that the experience provided valuable insights into modern policing in Queensland.
“These cadets have worked alongside senior police in various units, learning about the latest technology and policing strategies,” Assistant Commissioner Guteridge said. “This program has not only strengthened our ties with the RPNGC but also provided our officers with an understanding of policing in the Pacific.”
RPNGC Commissioner David Manning highlighted the program’s success as a reflection of the shared commitment between the RPNGC and AFP to develop a professional and responsive policing service.
“These cadets are the future leaders of policing in PNG and the Pacific region. This investment in skills, knowledge, and professional experience will ensure that our young Officer Cadets become the leaders of a professional and responsive police force,” said Commissioner Manning. “The success of this program demonstrates the strength of the RPNGC’s relationship with our longest-standing policing partner and underscores the importance of police-to-police cooperation in improving policing outcomes for all communities in our region.”
Cadet Levinah Sila from Madang/East Sepik Province expressed her gratitude for the experience, noting the importance of transparency, accountability, and professionalism, which she intends to bring back to the RPNGC.
The training program is part of a three-year course that RPNGC cadets must complete to be sworn in as Inspectors. These cadets began their training in Port Moresby in September 2023.
The AFP continues to support the RPNGC’s training and development through the PNG-APP, which has been in place since 2008. The program now involves 51 AFP members dedicated to mentoring and building capability within the RPNGC.
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