QUEENSLAND POLICE SERVICE NEWS
THE QUEENSLAND POLICE have had a long association with the policing of Papua New Guinea. In February 1911 Constable Gerard Hurst [right] resigned from the Queensland Police and joined the Royal Papuan Constabulary where he stayed until May 1912, after which he rejoined the Queensland Police.
The Royal Papuan Constabulary was initially established by the Australian colonial administration as part of colonising Papua in the late 19th century.
The New Guinea Police Force, which covered the former German New Guinea and British New Guinea, was set up by Australia during World War I and formalized as part of the League of Nations mandate of 1920.
In July 1912, Constable Charles Perrin answered a call by the Commissioner of Police for a Constable with special qualifications to serve in the Royal Papuan Constabulary.
By May 1913 Perrin [left] had found the conditions of service in Papua unsatisfactory and rejoined the Queensland Police.
The RPC played a significant role resisting the Japanese occupation of New Guinea during World War II.
The two territories were amalgamated during and after World War II leading to the merger of the RPC and NGPF into the Royal Papua and New Guinea Constabulary.
Between 1945 and Independence in 1975, more than 400 police officers were recruited worldwide to form the Royal Papua and New Guinea Constabulary. A large number of Queensland Police officers resigned to serve with the RPNGC.
The structure was retained after PNG gained independence in 1975, although the name changed slightly to the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary in 1972.
The RPNGC is part of the law and justice sector of the government of PNG and is headquartered in Konedobu.
Retired RPNGC officers, their families and anyone else who may be interested are welcome to attend the Royal Papua and New Guinea Constabulary Annual Luncheon at the Waterloo Bay Hotel, 75 Berrima Street, Wynnum on Saturday 4 August at 12 noon. Email Earl Sanders at earl.040635@bigpond.com
As a devoted citizen of Papua New Guinea, I didn't know the truth about the instigation of my father's occupation as a policeman.
But now I know it, it's a pleasure.
Posted by: Roa Jude | 02 August 2012 at 12:41 PM
This says some good things about Queensland.
Bernard, I suggest you download a copy of the book "James Chalmers His Autobiography and letters"- by Richard Lovett. I saw it was online.
Look at Chapter VII, written from a British point of view. It's set in 1883. I quote -
"The view that New Guinea was rich in gold, so situated as to be fairly accessible, led Queensland to cast a covetous eye upon her great island neighbour.
"The record of Queensland in regard to native races is very black. Everywhere in Australia the native has been treated with cruelty; but the most atrocious crimes against him have been perpetrated in Queensland....."
As you read on you start to see a pattern! So many bad things get repeated e.g. land swindles.
Posted by: Mrs Barbara Short | 02 August 2012 at 10:50 AM
Nice piece, Keith.
Will also make good reading for my students.
Posted by: Bernard Yegiora | 02 August 2012 at 09:59 AM