Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) Officer Cadets have completed an extensive training program this week, following a joint initiative between the AFP, RPNGC and Queensland Police Service (QPS).
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, PNG Minister for Police Peter Tsiamalili Junior, AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw, and RPNGC Commissioner David Manning attended the program's closing ceremony at Manly yesterday to congratulate the cadets.
The program commenced in May this year and involved more than 60 RPNGC cadets receiving training in north Queensland and Sydney to enhance their policing and leadership skills.
This program marked the first time the AFP, QPS and RPNGC had worked together to deliver the training program since 2019 when Cairns hosted RPNGC specialist officers from prosecutions and investigations units under the PNG-Australia Policing Program (PNG-APP). It was also the first time a program of this magnitude was delivered in Australia for Pacific police, and for some cadets, the first time they travelled overseas.
Cadets were presented opportunities to develop their leadership skills, decision-making abilities, and adaptability in a variety of operational settings.
Cadets initially undertook a two-week placement with QPS and were deployed to stations in Cairns and Townsville where they shadowed senior officers and experienced the Australian operational environment to enhance their professional development.
The program concluded in Sydney, with cadets undertaking a Policing Leadership Program at the Australian Institute of Police Management at Manly.
Commissioner Kershaw said the program's success was a testament to the AFP's strong relationship with its domestic and international partners.
"Programs like this further enhance the AFP's strong relationships across the Pacific and allow us to continue to work together to combat regional transnational crime," he said.
"These cadets will be the future leaders of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, and the skills they have learnt will be used to keep their communities safe when they return to PNG.
"We are proud of this program and hope to continue it in the future."
Assistant Commissioner Kevin Guteridge, People Capability Command, said the Queensland Police Service was honoured to have hosted the cadets in both Cairns and Townsville over the past four months.
"These cadets have been given valuable insights into modern policing in Queensland, working alongside senior police in various units, and learning about the latest technology and policing strategies," Assistant Commissioner Guteridge said.
"This program has not only strengthened our ties with the RPNGC, but has provided our officers with an understanding of policing in the Pacific.
"The QPS hopes to continue this program, and share insights into our day-to-day operations, and our leadership and organisational values."
PNG Commissioner David Manning said the success of the program reflected the RPNGC and AFP's shared commitment to developing professional and responsive policing services to meet the needs of modern policing.
"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," Commissioner Manning said.
"The success of this program demonstrates the strength of the RPNGC's relationship with our longest standing policing partner, and the highlights the importance of police-to-police cooperation in improving policing outcomes for all communities in our region.
"We thank the AFP and Queensland Police Service for their time and support in supporting the development of our officer cadets. We look forward to the continuation of this initiative, and others like it."
RPNGC cadet Levinah Sila, who is from Madang/East Sepik Province, said she learnt numerous skills during her placement in Australia.
"The skills I would like to take back to RPNGC to improve it for the better are transparency, accountability and professionalism," she said.
The program is part of a three-year training course RPNGC cadets must graduate from to be sworn in as Inspectors. These cadets started their training in Port Moresby in September 2023.
The AFP provides ongoing support to the training and development of the RPNGC through the PNG-APP.
The PNG-APP was established in 2008 with an initial deployment of 17 AFP members. There are now 51 AFP members working to mentor and build capability within the RPNGC.
