20 police officers from Enga Province have completed defensive tactics training at the Kimininga Police Barracks in Mt Hagen as police respond to increasing attacks on officers in the province.
A second group of 15 officers is currently undergoing the same training program, which is supported by the Papua New Guinea-Australia Policing Partnership (PNGAPP).
The training included weapons handling, restraint techniques, baton drills, ground control and close-quarters defensive response exercises.
The program was delivered after a formal request from Enga Provincial Police Commander Chief Superintendent Steven Harris through the Office of the Commissioner of Police.
Chief Superintendent Harris said the training was introduced after a series of violent attacks on police officers in Enga left several members injured.
“The welfare and safety of my officers is paramount and non-negotiable,” Mr. Harris said.
“We have seen a troubling spate of attacks on police members in Enga that have resulted in injuries, and that must stop.”
Mr. Harris said officers in Enga regularly faced dangerous situations while carrying out their duties and needed proper training and resources to protect themselves.
“Our officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect this community, and they deserve every skill and resource so they can go home safely at the end of their shift,” he said.
Mr. Harris said the officers travelled to Mt Hagen for the training because the arrangement suited both provinces and allowed the program to proceed without delay.
He thanked Police Commissioner David Manning, PNGAPP and Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander Chief Superintendent John Sagom for supporting the program.
“I am deeply grateful to the Commissioner of Police for actioning this request through his office, and to PNGAPP for deploying their instructors and supporting our members through this program,” Mr. Harris said.
Mr. Harris also acknowledged Chief Superintendent Sagom for allowing Enga police officers to use facilities at Kimininga Police Barracks during the training.
He said discipline and professionalism remained important standards for officers serving in Enga Province and warned that support from police management and the provincial government would depend on officers maintaining those standards.
The training concluded with a graduation ceremony where the first group of officers received certificates of completion, while the second intake continues training in Mt Hagen this week.