On the busy roads of Moresby Southside this week, a police vehicle lay mangled – the result, allegedly, of drink-driving. That the officer at the wheel was reportedly under the influence only adds to the growing disillusionment with law enforcement in Papua New Guinea. For a country struggling with rising crime and fraying public confidence in institutions, this is more than just another traffic incident — it is a troubling symptom of deeper rot.
The “Stop Drinking Beer & Driving” policy was launched with much fanfare as part of a broader push to curb road accidents and improve discipline among the police force. But as this latest crash illustrates, the application of the law remains lopsided. While civilians face the full weight of penalties for such behaviour, there is often a muted, internal response when the offender wears a police uniform.
Impunity Wearing a Uniform
Impunity within the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) is not new. For decades, efforts to professionalise and modernise the force have stumbled on a familiar set of problems: a lack of internal accountability, weak civilian oversight, and a leadership culture that too often turns a blind eye to misconduct. When a police officer is involved in a drink-driving crash, the silence from police command becomes deafening — no disciplinary updates, no public statement, and no transparency on whether charges will be laid.
This breeds a culture where rules are selectively applied. It also undermines morale within the force itself, where good officers must watch colleagues flout laws with impunity. Worse still, it erodes community cooperation, which is the bedrock of effective policing.
Public Trust in Freefall
The implications are stark. Papua New Guinea faces a rising tide of urban crime, drug-related violence, and youth disenfranchisement. In this climate, the credibility of law enforcement is not a luxury — it is a necessity. Yet each time a police officer is caught violating the law, and no public accountability follows, the entire force suffers reputational damage.
The Motu Koita villages, settlements, and suburbs of Port Moresby are already battling socio-economic neglect, and the sight of a police vehicle crashed under questionable circumstances only reinforces public cynicism. For young people in particular, it sends a dangerous signal: that laws are flexible, depending on your rank or connections.
Leadership Must Set the Tone
The Commissioner of Police must respond decisively. That means a public statement, a commitment to investigate and prosecute misconduct, and clear disciplinary consequences. But more broadly, it means recommitting to internal reform: instituting regular alcohol testing, empowering the Internal Affairs Directorate, and establishing an independent complaints mechanism that civilians can trust.
If the police are to be respected, they must first be accountable. The promise of law and order cannot be built on a foundation of double standards.
A Law for All, or for None?
In PNG’s 50th year of independence, the country is confronting a fundamental question: can institutions evolve to meet the demands of a modern state? Policing is at the heart of that challenge. If officers can crash government vehicles while drunk with no consequence, the message is clear — the law is not universal.
Restoring the integrity of the police force will require more than statements or slogans. It will take leadership with the courage to police its own. Because in the end, no nation can take back control if those entrusted to uphold the law refuse to follow it.