The Traffic Directorate of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) completed a six-week Method of Instructional Training, Training of Trainers, and Basic Traffic Course at the Bomana National Centre of Excellence on Thursday, May 15, 2026.

The training program involved 20 participants including 17 police personnel from the RPNGC Traffic Section and three officers from partner agencies, including the Road Traffic Authority and the Department of Transport.

Present during the certificate presentation were, Assistant Commissioner of Police for Training Joseph Tolopen, and Acting Assistant Commissioner for Training and Commandant of the National Centre of Excellence, Silva Sika.

Speaking to PNG HAUSBUNG, Lead Facilitator of the training and Acting Manager of the Traffic School, Inspector Theresa Tewi, said the six-week intensive program focused on equipping officers with instructional and training delivery skills.

“Basically, it is practical training. It is a method of instructional training specifically for police personnel in how to deliver police subjects and police courses,” she said.

Inspector Tewi said the training covered session planning, presentation delivery, classroom engagement, and assessment methods.

Participants who completed the course are now certified trainers and can return to their respective sections to identify training gaps and conduct further training within their commands.

“Once they go back to their respective sections or branches, they can identify the gaps where training is needed and then deliver training based on the field they are working in.”

Inspector Tewi also stated that the Traffic Directorate had not conducted a major traffic-related training program in more than 23 years, describing the current initiative as an important step in rebuilding traffic training capacity.

Another training program will follow, including a one-week Traffic Leadership Training ahead of the first Basic Traffic Training Course.

In addition, Inspector Tewi said the upcoming course will focus more on operational traffic duties, including road traffic laws, penalties, and responsibilities carried out by officers in the field.

“This is specifically for all traffic officers, not only traffic officers, but highway patrol as well.”

She added that due to funding constraints, the current program was limited to participants from NCD and Central Province, but future training is expected to include officers from other provinces.

Inspector Tewi also acknowledged the support of partner agencies, including the Road Traffic Authority and Department of Transport, saying collaboration would be important in expanding training programs across the country.

“We cannot do our job on our own. We need them, so that working together we are able to achieve safety for all road users.”

Also speaking to PNG HAUSBUNG, was Chief Sergeant Clement Wawo, Acting Director for Road Safety and a participant in the training program.

Chief Sergeant Wawo said the training was important in helping officers better understand and implement the new Road Traffic Act.

“The purpose of this training is to better deliver the new Road Traffic Act because many traffic officers around the country are not very well informed about the Act,” he said.

He said officers who attended the training would return to their respective provinces with improved knowledge to better enforce and apply road traffic laws.