13 December 2013
 

INFORMATION SHEET
AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE DEPLOYMENT TO PAPUA NEW GUINEA

• The second group of Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers deployed under the expanded Papua New Guinea-Australia Policing Partnership (PNG-APP) arrived in Port Moresby on 9 December 2013.

• Their arrival brings to 40 the number of AFP officers so far deployed to PNG under the expanded partnership.

• The third and final group of 10 AFP officers to be deployed under this agreement will arrive in Papua New Guinea on 21 December 2013. Their arrival will fulfil the Australian Government’s commitment to Prime Minister O’Neill to deploy fifty additional AFP officers to Port Moresby and Lae by the end of 2013.

• The AFP officers are providing frontline advisory support to the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) to strengthen the RPNGC’s ability to deliver effective and visible policing services for the people of PNG.

• The first group of AFP officers have been working from Boroko Police Station, Port Moresby. From this base, the AFP officers have been accompanying RPNGC officers on foot patrols, vehicle patrols, and visits to the nine suburban police stations within the National Capital District.

• The AFP deployment is under the command of AFP Assistant Commissioner Alan Scott.

• Assistant Commissioner Scott works closely with Commissioner Tom Kulunga to ensure that the expanded policing partnership improves the law enforcement capabilities of the RPNGC across key areas including:
- public safety
- station management and supervision
- community liaison and engagement
- traffic operations
- criminal investigations
- sexual offences.

• While on duty, the Australian police officers wear their AFP uniforms which include the mission logo wok wantaim (working together). Their vehicles also prominently display the mission logo.

• The AFP deployment to Lae – the commercial hub of Papua New Guinea – will commence on 13 December 2013.

• The deployment to Lae marks a new phase in the PNG-APP. Thirteen AFP officers will be based at the Lae Metropolitan Police Station.

• Just as in Port Moresby, the AFP officers deployed to Lae will not be:
- replacing or taking over the role of any RPNGC officers
- undertaking executive policing functions
- arresting or charging any person for an offence against PNG domestic law.

• At the annual PNG-Australia Ministerial Forum which was held in Canberra on 11 December 2013, Ministers welcomed the positive role of the PNG-APP in supporting stronger PNG policing capabilities.