Sylvester Gawi: Why law and order is priority – the Lae City experience

Peace and good order are key ingredients in prosperity of a society. Without peace there’s no communication, education, health, economic empowerment and most importantly unison in service delivery.

When people stand together, they achieve greater positive results for maximum communal benefit. Imagine establishing a school, health or market facility at a place where there’s ongoing fighting, petty crimes, alcohol and drug abuse etc.? None of these facilities will be conducive and operational when public servants are attacked, women and girls are abused and the vulnerable are living in fear.

Papua New Guinea has an underfunded police force, aging correctional facilities and a weak judicial system that has created more problems than it can solve.

Twenty years ago, Lae City has been the crime capital of PNG. From daily occurrences of armed robbery to ethnic clashes, the ever growing influx of people and illegal settlements had brought Lae to its knees.

Police manpower was outnumbered and logistics and communication a setback for the Lae Metropolitan Police Command. Every year new challenges are served on the menu for successive police commanders in Lae.

Lae City Sector Response Units (SRU)

Prior to the 2017 National General Elections, Lae police launched the Sector Response Unit (SRU) in April 2017 to provide more police visibility and manpower during the elections.

Anthony Wagambie Jnr’s SRU concept was a workable solution but still challenges on logistics, office equipment and communication remains obvious.

After the 2017 NGE, newly elected Lae MP John Rosso pledged his commitment to address the lawlessness in Lae by supporting the police.

Lae has the most hard working and disciplined police men and women which is a key ingredient. Good commanders, disciplined men and women combined with good logistical and infrastructure support creates a environment for better improved policing.

Rosso having served in the Lae Metropolitan Command knew the issues police faced and when elected ensured the other key ingredients which police needed was provided. Fuel, logistics, vehicles, assistance in training, infrastructure, funding support etc.

In five years, a total 28 police cars were bought for Lae police including monthly fuel supply. Business houses in Lae seeing a decline in major crimes partnered with Mr Rosso through the Lae City Authority to build three police stations and provided backing to police logistics and office supplies.

Major crimes in Lae was slashed by 80% and police response time was reduced to 5 -10 minutes from dispatch call. Police presence and visibility at major hotspots in the city continues to play an important role in public safety.

Political support

Wagambie Jnr’s strategic policing initiatives earned him a promotion to be ACP NCD Central. His successor Chief Inspector Chris Kunyanban maintained that same policing strategies and partnerships with all stakeholders backed by a top crop of senior police officers and station commanders.

Rosso’s vision is to ensure both police and the public appreciate the fact that our tax paid for vehicles and utilities required to maintain law and good order in Lae.

When the police are well backed and supported, more arrests are being made and that leaves a lot for the courts and correctional facilities to do.

The Buimo CS facility for the first time in many years received the biggest support from a Member for Lae and LCA.

Three brand new vehicles, food supplies, fencing, work tools and prisoner rehabilitation programs were funded for the facility by LCA. A clean up partnership program between LCA engages low risk inmates in clean up programs in the city. A small portion of the K20,000 per month agreement goes towards assisting the participating inmates to start their life after prison.

Youth empowerment programs continues in Lae targeting youths in areas of crime prevalence. That hasn’t been publicised in the media, but young people have been given second lease to life in more practical approach.

What are the benefits?

When law and order is fixed, people enjoy the true benefits of services provided by the government.

Petty crimes and harassments in public places remains a challenge for Lae and police manpower cannot adequately cater for the growing population. That alone needs community support in ensuring Lae becomes safe for every city dweller to move around freely without being harassed.

A police reservists training of young men and women in Lae is imminent as Bomana had halted recruitment for two years now. 60 young men from all communities and suburbs in Lae will be recruited to police our city through an agreement with LCA and Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.

We blame law enforcement agencies for brutality and slackness in performing their duties, but we must also understand them as humans like us. They deserve better support and welfare like civilians. They are our only hope in our darkest days.

There should be respect for everyone regardless of ethnicity, background and class. We love our home and now it’s changing from being a crime capital to be one of the safest cities to live in PNG.

Watch as Lae transforms with better roads, classrooms, hospitals and markets in the next three years.

Sylvester Gawi is a freelance journalist based in Lae