Police work at the site of a damaged building in Port Moresby on 12 January 2023. Troops patrolled the streets of Papua New Guinea's capital under a state of emergency following riots. Photo: STR / AFP
The Papua New Guinea government has directed the police and the defence force to carry out a review of their functions in the wake of this month's riots.
This will look at their roles and responsibilities during volatile situations, especially in state of emergency deployments.
Police Commissioner David Manning told the media the deadly riots of 10 January were a wake up call for the government and security personnel to review their joint operation functions and powers.
"We feel that there is a need to review as we are being directed to conduct in collaboration with military under term of references or what rules of engagement to deploy under when soldiers are called under state of emergency to assist police," Manning said, according to a Post-Courier report.
Acting Chief of Defence Commodore Phillip Polewara said restoring peace and good order is a priority, the newspaper reported.
Polewara said normal operations continue for all military personnel throughout the country.