New police clearance certificate with security features launched (MEDIA STATEMENT)

The Police Crimes Division launched on Monday a new police clearance certificate with security features.

Assistant Commissioner Crimes Hodges Ette said the issuance of the new certificates will prevent false police clearance certificates from being issued. The new Police Clearance Certificate which was launched at the Crime Division conference room at the police headquarters in Port Moresby was witnessed by senior police officers as well as staff from the Crimes Division and Interpol.

Mr Ette said the new police clearance certificate came into effect on Monday 15 November. Certificates issued prior will remain valid until March 2022. He said the RPNGC is changing the old police clearance certificate that has been used for the last 46 years since independence.

“The old format of producing police clearance certificates has been abused, and fraudulently used. People are printing them outside of the actual established system. We have fraudsters producing police clearance certificates fraudulently. The constabulary has been accused of facilitating or fraudulently producing false documents,” Mr Ette said.

Mr Ette however said that the police clearance certificate was previously done at a small administrative fee of K10.00 which was increased to K65.00 this year. He said Police make about K9,000.00 per day especially from the applications received in the National Capital District. He added that so far this year the Constabulary was able to collect K800,000.00 in police clearance fees.

“This particular certificate comes in three categories one for citizens, another one for expatriates and we also developed for PMVs as well. I am sure Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited (MVIL) and the transport sector will also be interested,” Mr Ette said, adding that certain categories would be put in with a reasonable fee at a future date. For instance, a person trying to get a job as a security guard will pay K65.00 but if they are trying to become the head of a government department they may pay up to K1,000.00 for the certificate.

Mr Ette said police are in the process of developing a work based system that can be accessed anywhere in the country. This system will also be of interest to various stakeholders including the National Statistical Office (NSO), Foreign Affairs and others.

Mr Ette said the new certificate with the security features will cost zero Kina to develop.

ROYAL PAPUA NEW GUINEA CONSTABULARY

MEDIA STATEMENT/Facebook

Tuesday 16th November, 2021

Read about How to Obtain Police Clearance Check

Eastern Highlands Police Reservist Program 2022 Recruitment

Police Commissioner and Controller of the PNG COVID-19 National Pandemic Response, David Manning, has endorsed the Eastern Highlands Province Police Reservist program to beef up police manpower to address COVID-19 and policing challenges in the province. 

Commissioner Manning when signing the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Eastern Highland Governor Peter Numu on Thursday this week highlighted that Police Reservice have been a great asset to the Constabulary in the early days however, it was discontinued due to the lack of proper command and control.

“With the current COVID-19 crisis coupled with the ongoing law and order situation across the country, we have agreed to revive the Police Reservists program in partnership with provincial governments and other statutory bodies under the revised policies and command structure.

“I want to commend Governor Numu and his administration for the initiative and the commitment to partner with the Constabulary in reviving the police reservist program in their province. This is a win-win approach for the Constabulary and the Province in addressing the current COVID-19 crisis and law and order issues going forward,” Manning said.

Mr Manning further said that the Eastern Highland Province is among the few provinces that have come on board and are currently running similar programs in their respective provinces.

Mr Manning said the Constabulary has set the target to recruit 1,100 Police reservist personnel before the 2022 national general election.

Eastern Highland Governor Peter Numu thanked the Commissioner for the endorsement and his vision to revive the reservist program to address the lack of police manpower in the provinces.

Governor Numu also announced that the Eastern Highlands Police Reservist program will commence with the first 220 successful applicants to undertake reservist training.

“Under my administration, we are ready to run this program and the first batch of 220 successful applicants will go into training immediately. We need more police manpower to assist us with the COVID-19 operations and general policing thus we have taken such drastic action. This is the biggest reservist recruitment compared to other provinces and my administration will continue to sustain this program,” Governor Numu concluded.

PRESS RELEASE

Manning endorses Eastern Highlands Police Reservist Program

ROYAL PAPUA NEW GUINEA CONSTABULARY

MEDIA STATEMENT

Friday 05th  November 2021

Photo and caption below:

Police Commissioner David Manning with the signed Police Reservist MOU with the Eastern Highlands Governor Hon. Peter Numu. Far left is Eastern Highlands Provincial Administrator Mr John Gimiseve and Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Michael Welley.

How to Get a Police Character Clearance Check - Fee Update

A POLICE Clearance certificate is a vital document that is needed for many purposes. However, many people do not know how to obtain a police clearance certificate.

According to the Acting Officer in Charge (OIC) of the National Criminal Records Office (NCRO) Chief Sergeant Kasa Wumber there are six main types of Police Clearance reports done by his office. 

These include five Character Checks and a Police Crime Report. The character checks include; 

• Public Motor Vehicle (PMV) character check, 
• Papua New Guinea police character check, 
• firearms character check, 
• expatriates in Papua New Guinea character check and 
• expatriates overseas character check.

Location of police clearance check (National Forensic Centre)

Police Clearance reports are issued by the NCRO currently located at the National Forensic Centre, Varahe Road Gordons in Port Moresby. No police stations or another office can issue a police clearance certificate.

The only authorised signature on the certificate must be that of the OIC National Criminal Records Office, by the delegation on behalf of the Commissioner of Police. In the absence of the OIC the second officer in charge (2IC) will sign on his behalf. Any other signature on the Police Clearance certificate is not to be accepted.

 How to Apply for a Police Clearance Certificate Check - UPDATE

To apply for a police clearance certificate, you can pick up a form at the National Criminal Records Office. For those living in the other provinces, you can collect a form from your nearest police station where you will be fingerprinted. Pay the K65.00 fee at your nearest finance cashier office and attach the receipt with the application form and mail it to the NCRO office at the Police National Headquarters to the following address: OIC National Criminal Records Office RPNGC, P.O 85, Konedobu, National Capital District. 

Alternatively, pay the fee and take the receipt and a recent ID photo of you to the National Criminal Records Office at Gordons (for those in Port Moresby). The officers of the NCRO will assist with the Police character check forms and also take your fingerprints for processing. 

If you are living outside of Port Moresby, see what the Police has to say about getting  a Police Character Clearance Check in the direct quote below:

"Many people have been commenting about police clearance for other provinces. For the time being you now have the form. Print whichever form you need and fill in the details as required. For fingerprinting please go to your nearest police station and a policeman will help fingerprint you. Pay your K10 (sic. Now K65) fee, attach the receipt and mail it to the address listed. Unfortunately, online lodgement is still a long way away for us at this stage. Thank you for all your comments" [Response extract from RPNGC FB comment]

Download police clearance check forms

In this file, there are 6 forms ( download the clearance forms all-in-one)

• Police character check form for Papua New Guinean
• Police character check form for Expatriates in PNG
• Police character check form for Expatriates outside of PNG
• Police character check/clearance & Fire Arms Particulars and Records Check
• Police character check form for PMV
• Crime report form

These documents were retrieved from the RPNGC Facebook page. See the original documents here.

Where to pay the character check FEES

For those in Port Moresby you can pay your Character Check or Police Crime Report fees at any of these three locations; 

• Vulupindi Haus, 
• Firearm Registry Office at the Boroko Police Station and 
• the Central Government Office at Konedobu.

 Attach the receipt to the application and submit it to the NCRO office at Gordons. You will be given a number and expected date for follow up or collection.

All police character check fee is K65.00. You are not to pay any additional fees.

Expatriates character checks

For expatriates, there are two separate application forms for those who are living in the country and those who have left but require PNG Police Clearance Certificates for the countries they are currently residing in.

They are required to bring their complete application form together with their current passport and visa and current work permit as well as the receipt of the K65.00 payment.

"I'm an expat. I'm currently working at Lihir I already fee k10 (sic. Now K65) on Vulupindi House in pom can I go to Lihir police office using Vulupindi receipt to fill up the form of police clearance and I will submit it in pom when I'm going for my field break?" [Angelo Bascon, FB comment, extract]

"Yes, you can." (RPNGC, FB response, extract)

Time and operation hours of police character checks

The duration of the Character Check processes is one week for nationals and two weeks for expatriates.

The NCRO is open only on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Lodgement of application forms is usually from 9:00am – 12:00pm. 

The collection of character certificate is between 1:00pm and 3:30pm each Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Mondays are allocated for lodgement of police character checks for the purpose of opening bank accounts, study in PNG, passport application and PMV.

Employment character check applications

Employment character check applications are done on Tuesdays and Fridays only. Expatriate character checks, visa, firearm, Investment Promotion Authority (IPA), National Airports Corporation (NAC) pass, crime reports, study overseas and port passes are done on Thursdays only.

Nationals and expatriates living overseas must report to their nearest police station in the country they are in and they will collect their required information and send them to the NCRO in Port Moresby. 

Firearm applicants must also attach the notice for sale and disposal form from a licensed gun dealer and the complete Interpol firearm request form to secure a character check certificate.

(Ends)

Source: MEDIA STATEMENT (Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Facebook page) Monday 28th January 2019 [ADAPTED, May 2021]

Police Identified Route Used by Drug Cartels in Papua New Guinea

Pic and report: Post Courier newspaper PNG

Police Minister Jelta Wong said yesterday: “We are working with our international counterparts to curb these transit routes.”

RELATED READ: PNG PM Demands Thorough Investigation into Cocaine Plane Crash in PNG  

Police have identified possible routes used by international drug cartels in Papua New Guinea to smuggle drugs into Australia.

His comments come after a PNG woman, Dulcie Wagambio Witchard, 34, was arrested and charged in Australia with dealing in the proceeds of crime amounting to A$10,000 (about K24,000) in Brisbane, Australia.

According to Australian Federal Police, the conspiracy to import more than 300 kilograms of cocaine showed that it would be brought into Australia from Peru via Singapore and PNG.

Two Australian men were also arrested in Sydney last Friday and were expected to be extradited from Sydney to Brisbane to face drug trafficking charges.

Dulcie Wagambio Witchard faced court last week and was released on bail and her passport confiscated.

She is the second Papua New Guinea woman to be held in Australia over drug-related charges after Mary Yawari who was sentenced to nine and half years in jail for smuggling four kilograms of methylamphetamine, or ice, into Australia.

Witchard was charged after police executed search warrants at Airlie Beach in north Queensland and Woodridge, south of Brisbane.

AFP Queensland commander Sharon Cowden said the alleged conspiracy was foiled after a year-long investigation with international law enforcement.

Commander Cowden said the drugs had an estimated street value of $105 million (K254m), according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The men were arrested during raids in the Sydney suburbs of Maroubra and Rozelle.

Commander Cowden said the drugs were to be imported by small craft to Australia via the Torres Strait, the ABC reported.

She said the men could both face life sentences if found guilty.

The AFP said its investigation began in June last year after they identified an Australian and PNG-based syndicate suspected of planning to import drugs from Peru.

Commander Cowden said the syndicate tried to smuggle cocaine into Australia late last year but were unsuccessful.

She said while the syndicate moved to set up a second importation, more than 1.2 tons of cocaine was seized by law enforcement officers in Peru, ABC reported.

Commander Cowden said Peruvian authorities also arrested a businessman thought to have conspired with the Australians.

She said police also intended to pursue legal proceedings against a PNG man, who was allegedly part of the conspiracy to import the cocaine into Australia.

Investigations were continuing and authorities were expecting to make more arrests.

LINK TO THE STORY HERE

Post Courier Newspaper report (June 2018)

O'Neill's Greatest Fear (O’Phobia) Vs Integrity of the Police Commissioner of Papua New Guinea

WAIGANI: Peter O’Neill staged the fight on 16th June 2014. He chose Waigani to be his battle field. A tactician he is, he fought on two fronts: sent his lawyer to Court and dismantled the investigating team. He was brilliant – he knew the target, but his arsenal of weapons could not destroy it. He lost all his fights (and gracefully surrendered) at Waigani Court House.

 

Now, it’s time to move the battle field to Konedobu. O’Neill’s greatest phobia is looking investigators in the eye and answering their questions. A proper police interrogation is not what every person who has something to hide wants to face. They fear police investigators that some can wet their pants.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Call By Leaders for Peter O’Neill to Own Up

 

CHRISTAIN LEADERS: We heard leaders from main-line churches appealing for O’Neill to submit to police request. Thank God and pioneer missionaries, PNG are blessed with established churches (Anglican, Lutheran, Catholic, SDA) with strong leaders who have wisdom to correct and suggest to political leaders what to do. Listen to words of men of God. Make no mistake, these leaders speak with wisdom. They represent mass of PNG’s population.

 

POLICE: Court has made it clear that policemen who are at the forefront of this political turmoil (caused by PM) are not rogue officers. Their reputations, experiences and dedication to the force are exemplary.  Their commitment to stand firm at this time is a testament to their courage and determination. These men are trained (at police institution/s) to be strong, commissioned (on oath) to serve and moulded (by experience) to be fearless.  They are discipline officers, for goodness sake, trust them to do the right thing.

 

Police hierarchy had been thrown in disarray with by one man, Peter O’Neill.  Is it too late for Vaki to fix this vital institution? He was defeated at District Court but not late for Vaki to make the right call. Both National and District Courts have given Geoffrey Vaki’s no option but to arrest O’Neill. He MUST effect the WoA in haste to save face.

 

Vaki is rendered to nothing but USELESS in Peter O’Neill’s eyes if not for the policemen protecting the PM.  Section of police who took Vaki’s commands can be seen to be the last baton of hope for him to remain police commissioner. We also see Police Association giving strong signal to politicians (like PM and Housing Minister) who called police ‘rogue cops’ to shut up. There are strong views within the Constabulary for Vaki to perform his constitutional duties without siding with Peter O’Neill. This was evident from reports in mainstream media and social network.

 

Mr Geoffrey Vaki can restore pride and comradeship in police force by taking a step out of PO’s shadow and listen to what courts, church leaders, senior citizens, students and public are saying about PO’s actions.

 

There needs to be neutral and impartial stand taken by Vaki now.  This will not only save his reputation, but also protect the office of the Police Commissioner.

 

WARNING: 3 things the Police Commissioner, Geoffrey Vaki, should take note:

 

1. Task Force Sweep was reinstated. The investigation, its finding (Sam Koim and Miviri’s affidavits) and Warrant of Arrest of Peter O’Neill are valid and current. He does not have an option. He must commission the right officers to arrest and question Peter O’Neill.

 

2. Police have what’s called the ‘Institution Muscle’. When commenting on political plots and strategies to protect one man the Police Association general secretary used the word ‘muscle’ – such word must not be taken lightly by the Police Commissioner, especially when it comes from the Police Association, made by senior police representative.  Here, he is implying that the police commissioner has to do what is best to protect the integrity of the Police Force. Anything seems contrary can result in the police union taking a tough stand against it.

 

3. Politicians do flip sides on impulse. PO said he will ‘fight to the last breath’. He was on the back foot again the other day withdrawing all court proceedings.  He didn’t fight, did he? Coward will always be coward. Vaki, has to put his thinking hat on. He is a learnt person. He will not want to be PO’s toilet tissue (to wipe his stinky poo and flush it down the toilet).

 

PO had his chance to fight the WoA. He has made his case.  He waved his rights about. He chose Waigani to be his battle field and lost (and surrendered). All along he created factions within the police, he disbanded TSF, he dismissed Sam Koim, he (through Vaki) suspended Lawyer Miviri and senior officers Eluh and Kauba.

 

Vaki’s Right Call: Now it is time to move the battle field to Konedobu.  Vaki must lift the suspension on Miviri, Kauba and Eluh. Let these men, including Koim and TFS, carry on from where they left: Arrest Peter O’Neill and bring him in for questioning. LET THE LAW TAKE ITS COURSE

 

END: I'd finish with 7 Quotations From Senior Citizens About Recent Political Events You Must Know

 

1. HEAD OF THE ANGLICAN CHURCH
"If the Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill had submitted to the rule of law, his innocence would have been proven three weeks ago. But instead he had engaged his lawyers – to stay the warrant of arrest,’’[Archbishop Clyde Igara]

 

2. POLICE ASSOCIATION GENERAL SECRETARY

 "It is politicians that have created this unnecessary misdemeanour. They are cherry pickers who are here today and gone tomorrow. The police force is here to stay and police officers will give a lifetime upholding the rule of law and the constitution." [Clemence Kanau]

 

3. POLICE ASSOCIATION GENERAL SECRETARY
"He should shut his mouth and swallow his temporary pride," Mr Kanau said of Mr Isikiel when he referred to officers investigating O’Neill as ‘rogue cops’.

 

4. SACKED ATTORNEY GENERAL
Police Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki now has no legal discretion but to arrest Prime Minister Peter O’Neill. [Kerenga Kua]

 

5. NATIONAL COURT JUDGE
"I find this submission to be speculative and without proper evidentiary basis,” Judge Ere Kariko said when refusing submissions by the prime minister’s lawyer regarding a "rift" in the ranks of the police force.

 

6. CHIEF MAGISTRATE  - DISTRICT COURT
"Courts can only interfere when there is a clear case of abuse," [Nerrie Eliakim explanation on Vaki’s application to discontinue warrant of arrest on Peter O’Neill]

7.  CHAIRMAN – TASK FORCE SWEEP "When our leaders raised wild allegations and branded us as politically compromised, I did not respond because that would be seen as self preservation. I waited for the competent authority to vindicate us which the court had done." [Sam Koim ]

Geoffery Vaki Should Not Compromise the Integrity of Papua New Guinea Constabulary

CHRISTAINS: We heard leaders of main line churches appealing for O’Neill to submit to police request. Thank God and pioneer missionaries, PNG have established churches and strong leaders who have the wisdom to correct and suggest to political leaders what to do. Listen to the words of men of God.

POLICE: The police hierarchy had been thrown in disarray with by one man, Peter O’Neill.  Is it not too late for Vaki to fix this vital institution? He may be defeated at the District Court but he it is not late for Vaki to make the right call. Both National and District Courts have given Geoffrey Vaki’s no option but to arrest O’Neill. This must be done urgently.

Vaki is rendered to nothing but useless in Peter O’Neill’s eyes if not for the policemen protecting the PM.  Section of police who took Vaki’s commands are his last baton of hope. We hear the Police Association giving strong signal to politicians (like PO and the Housing Minister) who called police ‘rogue cops’ to shut up.

Court has made it clear that the men who are at the forefront of this political turmoil caused by the PM are not rogue officers. Their reputations, experiences and dedication to the force are exemplary.  

Mr Geoffrey Vaki can restore pride and comradeship in the police force. He needs to take a step out of PO’s shadow and listen to what courts, church leaders, senior citizens, students and public are saying about PO’s actions.

REASSURANCE: Two things the Police Commissioner, Geoffrey Vaki, should take note.

1.      Police have what’s called the ‘Institution Muscle’. When commenting on this Political plots and strategies to protect one man the Police Association general secretary used this phrase -  it seems  police can use avenues to addressing administrative matters within the force if/when it is necessary. Here, he is implying that the police commissioner has to do what is best to protect the integrity of the Police Force. Anything seems contrary can result in the police union taking a tough stand against it!

 

2.      Task Force Sweep was reinstated. The investigation, its finding (Sam Koim and Miviri’s affidavits) and Warrant of Arrest of Peter O’Neill is valid and current.

PO had his chance to fight the WoA. He has made his case. It took 3 weeks.  All along he created factions within the police police, he disbanded TSF, he dismissed Sam Koim, he (through Vaki) suspended Eluh and Kauba.

Vaki’s right call: Now that TSF is reinstated, Vaki must lift the suspension on Koim, Miviri, Kauba and Eluh. His hands are already dirty. Let these men carry on from where they left: Arrest Peter O’Neill and bring him in for questioning.

LET THE LAW TAKES ITS COURSE