Port Moresby is maintaining a clean and organized appearance as police officers work around the clock to ensure that their limited resources are properly used to manage the populated city.

Despite having fewer than a thousand officers, the force continues to manage more than a million people from different regions, both locally and internationally.

Commander of the National Capital District and Central Province, Benjamin Turi, expressed his gratitude to the police officers operating under the leadership of Metropolitan Superintendent Warrick Simatab and Central Provincial Police Commander Joseph Salle, praising their dedication to keeping the command in order.

Commander Turi highlighted several efforts the police have done under his command by responding quickly to reported complaints, which has helped in defusing several tense situations.

He said notable issues the command has responded to over the last two months include stopping a conflict between the Engan and Goilala communities living at Laloki.

Police also conducted a clean-up at Gordons bus stop to minimize petty crime, executed a mass arrest of 70 students involved in a city school fight, arrested a suspect who assaulted a female Rabaul Gurias supporter inside the National Football Stadium, and carried out the mass arrest of 50 protesters from Enga opposite the Hilton Hotel.

He said the incident at Laloki is under investigation, and some of the suspects have been apprehended in which has calmed the situation.

He further added that the arrest of the 70 students has produced positive results; some have been convicted and paid fines, while others will appear in court soon.

In addition, the clean-up at Gordons and around the city is ongoing, with assistance from the NCDC to clear street vendors and remove undesignated markets across the city.

Commander Turi said that over the weekend, the man who assaulted the Rabaul Gurias supporter was arrested, and his police bail was refused.

He stated that police also responded to a case resulting in the apprehension of 50 people who were unlawfully gathered opposite the Hilton Hotel.

“I want to call on the people living in the city: when you are here, you must abide by the city laws and rules, as well as the laws of this country.”

“What you do in your villages and respective towns might be different from Port Moresby, where we have laws in place, and we will not hesitate to enforce them to punish lawbreakers.”

“We are trying our best to manage law and order in the city.”

“My call now to the people in the command is to respect each other when traveling into Port Moresby or moving into Central Province.”

“You all come here for your own reasons, and we will not stop you from coming, but all we ask is that you respect each other and abide by the rules and laws in place.”

“The city must look clean and organized because we have people coming in from around the world. Those of you who break the law will be dealt with; accordingly, my officers have been doing this, and we will continue to do so.”

He thanked his police officers for their tireless efforts and challenged them to continue performing their duties without fear or favor to keep Port Moresby and the Central Province safe.

He reiterated that the top priority is maintaining order in the capital since Port Moresby serves as a mini-PNG.