Police department reports shortlisted recruits testing positive to illicit drugs

The Royal PNG Constabulary  has reported that  six applicants for its cadet  and general police recruits have tested positive to illicit substances as it began its nation wide program starting with applicants from NCD, Central and Gulf.

Four of the applicants were shortlisted for the general recruit program while two were for the officer cadet program.

Police say four applicants tested positive to marijuana and two for methamphetamine or ice- one of them a female.

The country has recently been battling regional drug smuggling activities with methamphetamine to Australia.

The detection of drugs were revealed during a medical check for the 213 shortlisted applicants.

They were among a total of 213 applicants for the regular police recruit program who did their medical checks on Thursday and Friday last week.

Deputy Commissioner Administration Joanne Clarkson said of the 213 who did their medical checks, 26 failed, including the four who tested positive for illicit substances. 

Joanne Clarkson DCP  Administration

She said 24 were disqualified on other medical conditions such as eye test, neck nodes related to Tuberculosis, and pregnancy.

A total of 185 applicants for the police regular recruit program now advance into the physical training stage of the recruitment process.

For the cadet officer program, a total of 83 applicants were scheduled for medical checks last week. However, three did not attend. Two were tested positive for controlled drugs whilst two were disqualified on medical grounds.

A total of 76 applicants for police cadet officer now advance into the physical training aspect of the recruitment process.

“From a total of 296 candidates that were scheduled for medical checks, 261 candidates now advance to the physical training which is scheduled tomorrow (Monday April 24).

Deputy Commissioner Clarkson said there are stringent measures being put in place to ensure that academically qualified and physically and medically fit persons are selected to enter the Constabulary’s recruit and officer cadet training programs.

Ms Clarkson said, “We must get it right from the start where the applicants are shortlisted, screened, tested, and medically checked. In the screening process applicants were required to provide proof of high school certificates, birth certificates and National Identification cards, amongst other requirements. The medical tests  are being done to ensure that we recruit healthy people into the police force.

“The police top management is gravely concerned that from those checked last week, six were tested positive for illicit substances. This is a small number but just as concerning for us.

“The RPNGC is no place for substance users, and we will be vigilant and ensure they are not allowed into the Constabulary.”

A total of 13,039 applicants were shortlisted from the 48,772 applications received from across the nation for the recent police recruitment drive to fill 560 positions.

A total of 3,985 applicants were shortlisted for the National Capital District, Central and Gulf Provinces.

For the rest of the country, tentative dates have been set for the recruitment process:

· 8 May - 16 June for Hela, Southern Highlands Province, Enga, Western Highlands Province, Jiwaka and Simbu;

· 8 May – 9 June for East Sepik, West Sepik, Madang and Eastern Highlands Provinces;

· 8 May – 9 June for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, East New Britain, West New Britain, New Ireland, and Manus Provinces; and

· 8 May - June 2 for Milne Bay, Oro, North Fly and South Fly.