Fifty-four (54) Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) cadet officers were commissioned as inspectors last Friday at Bomana National School of Excellence in Port Moresby.
The cadet officers have completed a three-year officer cadet programme aimed at strengthening police leadership, management and command capacity.
Related news: https://news.pngfacts.com/2026/10/png-police-gain-54-new-officers-as.html
The Officer Cadet Intake 1 of 2023 passed out during a commissioning parade at the school, marking the 13th commissioning parade in the continuing development of commissioned officers within the RPNGC.
The training is part of the Constabulary’s efforts to build police capacity and address management and leadership issues within policing.
The cadets commenced training on September 22, 2023, undertaking a structured programme covering policing knowledge, operational skills, leadership, management and command competencies.
The intake included serving RPNGC personnel and cadets who entered the programme with qualifications and experience from different professional fields.
The first year focused on foundational policing and operational training, including the Constable Qualifying Training Programme, prosecution and Criminal Investigation Department training.
The cadets were then attached to police stations and specialist sections to gain practical experience and apply their classroom training in operational environments.
The second year focused on leadership and management, with cadets attached to police stations where they served as second-in-command.
They also undertook leadership development through the Pacific Policing Faculty of the Australian Institute of Police Management in Manly, Australia, and at the National School of Excellence at Bomana.
The final year focused on command and management responsibilities expected of commissioned officers, including command and operations, human resource management, finance and administration, headquarters attachment and fieldcraft.
Prime Minister James Marape, who commissioned the officers alongside Police Commissioner David Manning, said the graduation demonstrated the importance of strengthening the country’s police force.
Mr. Marape said the Government had been working to address an ageing police force, limited manpower and resource constraints by investing in the development of police personnel.
He said the country needed men and women committed to the national flag and Constitution rather than politics, corruption, crime or personal interests.
Police Commissioner David Manning told the newly commissioned inspectors that their ranks and swords represented the trust, confidence and authority placed on them by the Constabulary, Government and people of Papua New Guinea.
He reminded the officers that commissioning was more than the beginning of a career, describing it as a commitment and vocation to serve the country.
“The real work starts now,” Manning told the officers, urging them to make their families, provinces, villages and clans proud through their service.
Related news: https://www.thepngsun.com/pm-marape-to-54-new-police-officers-serve-with-discipline-integrity-and-love-for-country/
The commissioning of Intake 1 of 2023 also marks the first time cadets have passed out as commissioned officers carrying ceremonial swords.
The new inspectors will now take up their responsibilities as commissioned officers within the RPNGC ranks and files.