The Hela Provincial Government has funded the training of its Hela based Police Mobile Squad officers at the McGregor Mobile Squad Base in Port Moresby, with the officers passing out this week after completing the program.
Deputy Director of the Mobile Squad Directorate at McGregor, Chief Superintendent Florien Luvi, confirmed that Hela is among the first provincial governments to directly fund training for its Mobile Squad unit through its own provincial budget.
“The Hela Provincial Government is one of the first provincial governments that is stepping forward to fund training for the Mobile Squad based in their province,” Chief Superintendent Luvi said.
He said the support was timely.
“The police officers need training, and it was a timely help for the officers to undergo such training,” he said.
Chief Superintendent Luvi also encouraged other provincial governments to follow Hela’s example and support the Mobile Squad units stationed in their respective provinces. He said the trained officers will return to their home provinces to provide policing services to local communities.
The Executive Officer of the Hela Provincial Government, Mr. Amos Libe, speaking on behalf of Hela’s leaders and people, thanked the McGregor Mobile Squad Base for conducting the training.
He described the training as an added advantage as the officers prepare to address law and order challenges in the province.
Mr. Libe said the provincial government has taken additional steps to strengthen policing capacity in Hela.
He said thirty-two new police houses have been built and will be officially opened next week when the officers return home. He added that ten (10) police vehicles have been purchased and are ready to be presented during the opening of the houses and the welcome ceremony for MS09 members.
Mr. Libe said construction of the remaining balance of the 100 houses is ongoing and will soon be completed.
He said the Hela Provincial Government is serious about addressing law and order issues and is investing directly in police accommodation, vehicles and essential resources to attract and retain officers in the province.
Mr. Libe further stated that more than half a million kina was allocated to fund the training, including necessary gear required by officers to perform their duties.
On behalf of the provincial government, he thanked David Manning and police management for approving the request to train the officers.
He said the trained officers will serve not only Hela Province but also the country when called upon for deployments elsewhere in PNG.
Mr. Libe also acknowledged the support of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force from Goldie, who assisted in the training program.
