A policewoman and four police chaplains have been certified to officiate marriages after completing a three-day Civil Marriage Celebrant Training conducted by the Office of the Civil Registry under the Department of Community Development and Religion.

The training ended on Friday, 13th March 2026, at the Weigh Inn in Konedobu.

The certification allows the officers to act as marriage celebrants and ensure all marriages they conduct follow the Marriage Act and Marriage Regulations, making the unions legally valid.

The training was organized by the Welfare Section of the Human Resource Division of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary in response to growing concerns among members who need legally recognized marriages to access benefits tied to marriage. Officials said this had been an issue for the force for more than a decade.

Participants were trained on the proper procedures for conducting marriages in Papua New Guinea and the legal requirements involved in solemnizing unions.

The newly certified celebrants are Inspector Susan Rumints, Officer in Charge of Police Welfare; Pastor William Pok, Police Chaplain for Northern Command; Reverend David Yuwi, Police Chaplain for Highlands Command; Father Joseph Labigi, Police Chaplain for New Guinea Islands Command; and Father George Baruka, Police Chaplain for Bougainville Police Service.

During the closing ceremony, Director of the Human Resource Directorate, Superintendent Paul Unupite, reminded members of the Constabulary Standing Orders which require officers to have only one legal spouse.

He said only the first legally recognized spouse and their children are eligible for benefits tied to marriage.

“This is in place to protect the integrity of our processes and uphold moral standards within the force,” Superintendent Unupite said.

He also urged members to formalize their marriages and make careful decisions about marriage to avoid personal issues that could affect their work performance.