New opportunities to serve for Queensland Police

Published Wednesday, 15 May, 2013 at 12:45 PM

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier
The Honourable Campbell Newman

Minister for Police and Community Safety
The Honourable Jack Dempsey

Queensland police will have the opportunity to serve in Papua New Guinea under an agreement between the country’s Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and Premier Campbell Newman.

Mr Newman announced that up to 150 Queensland Police Officers will help to improve the policing operations and protocols in the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC).

“The PNG Government wants to greatly increase its police service’s ability to tackle crime as well as ensuring officers have the skills to manage a modern and evolving service,” Mr Newman said.

“The Queensland Police Service (QPS) is already world renowned for its training and mentoring capabilities and it will be a great opportunity to share this knowledge with our closest international neighbour.

“It’s in our interests to have a strong, stable and secure Papua New Guinea on our doorstep, so we should reach out and help them.

“This will be a completely voluntary program, but it is a great opportunity for career development for our police and there will be additional incentives to make the experience more worthwhile.

“There will also be an opportunity for a senior officer to take up the role as Deputy Commissioner and have a direct hand in improving PNG’s police service.

“As part of the agreement PNG will exchange up to 150 of its officers with the QPS.”

Police Minister Jack Dempsey said the opportunity would not only be good for the people of Papua New Guinea, but Queensland officers who volunteer would also gain life-long experiences.

“This will be a tremendous experience for Queensland officers who put their hands up for the challenge,” Mr Dempsey said.

“Each of these officers will assist our neighbour establish and bed down world-class policing practices, and they’ll come away knowing they have made a real difference to the long-term future of PNG and its people.”

Mr Newman said the program would be funded by PNG and both governments would be sitting down in the coming months to finalise the details.

“I look forward to working out the best way to make this happen and will be engaging the police union to work out some of the issues, particularly in relation to pay and conditions,” he said.

Queensland police officers and the QPS have a long association and history with the RPNGC dating back to 1911.

Queensland police officers have also served in countries such as Timor-Leste (formerly East Timor), Solomon Islands, Haiti and Cyprus as part of United Nations missions.

Premier Campbell Newman is in Papua New Guinea from 14-15 May with a group of Queensland companies and organisations, promoting a range of business opportunities for Queensland.

[ENDS] 15 May 2013

Media Contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500