Police Commissioner David Manning this week promoted four police officers to the rank of Assistant Commissioners in-charge of various commands within the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.
Among them is Dr Philip Mitna who holds a doctoral degree from the Australian National University in Canberra.
His doctoral thesis was on Factors influencing Papua New Guinea’s foreign policy in the twenty-first century.
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| ACP Dr Philip Mitna (left) |
He is the first police officer to be conferred a doctoral degree.
Son of a correctional service officer, Mitna from Simbu province was a science foundation student at the University of Papua New Guinea but his marks did not impress much and when cadet recruitment for the police college came up he enlisted and completed his training.
He was then posted to the NCD dog unit squad and eventually became the Dog Unit director.
When he was at the police department he furthered tertiary studies at UPNG obtaining a degree in public policy management, then a postgraduate degree in Public Administration in Singapore and eventually his doctoral degree in Australia.
Dr Mitna is now Assistant Commissioner Policy & Planning at RPNGC.
“I’m satisfied with the board recommendations and have no doubt you are bringing onboard your expertise that is very much needed in the management. We now have a solid team to take the constabulary forward,” Commissioner Manning said.
The other promotions were
· Chief Superintendent Peter Philip to Assistant Commissioner Border Command;
· Chief Superintendent Rigga Neggi to Assistant Commissioner Highlands Eastern Command; and
· Chief Superintendent Perou N’Dranou to Assistant Commissioner New Guinea Islands Command. Mr N’Dranou is currently contingent Commander of the Police and Correctional Service officers deployed to the Solomon Islands.
Deputy Commissioner Administration Joanne Clarkson has congratulated the officers and also thanked them for showing interest in applying for these challenging positions.
She said: “There were 14 applications for six positions advertised but it was reduced to five because there was a substantive appointment made to my previous position as the Deputy Chief of Bougainville Police Service which is Assistant Commissioner Naua Vanuawaru, so the board deliberated on five positions instead."
She added that the Commissioner specifically wanted a good team to not only deliver the 2022 National General Election but more importantly transcend the executive reform agendas and intentions going forward.
“So, from the applications the board saw that you are fit for the organization at this particular time to deliver what is most needed and have recommended you all. It’s time we set the foundation and legacy for the ones coming after us.
