Royal Papua and New Guinea Constabulary
Royal Papua and New Guinea Constabulary
The Police commissioners of theRoyal Papua and New Guinea Constabulary 1947-1975
The Post War Constabulary In 1942 with the invasion of the territories of Papua and New Guinea by the Japanese, the Royal Papua Constabulary and the New Guinea Police Force combined on a war time basis to form one service under the banner of the Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit. During the war against Japan, the police expanded to a strength of around 2,900 and played an outstanding and valiant role during the campaign. Their duties of the time were coast watching, fighting patrols, scouts and spies. As the war ended and hostilities ceased, the force resumed its peace time activities under a combined Papua and New Guinea Administration. The Royal Papua and New Guinea Constabulary (RP&NGC) is a member of a distinguished and select company of worldwide Commonwealth police forces including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, The Royal Ulster Constabulary, and (until 1997) Royal Hong Kong Police Force.John Spillard Grimshaw applied to be Chief of Police, New Guinea Police Force on 9 May 1946, a position formally held by Lieutenant Colonel Walstab. Grimshaw made a second application, submitted on 5 November 1946 for the position of the Superintendent of Police Provisional Administration of the Territory Papua and New Guinea. Grimshaw received his appointment for Superintendent, Papuan New Guinea Police on 11 February 1947. The organisation of the RP&NGC then came under the command of John Grimshaw, the first Commissioner of the Royal Papuan Constabulary and New Guinea Police Force. John Spillard Grimshaw later resigned whilst on sick leave in Australia on 20 October 1954 after a controversial charge by some petty bureaucrat.Christopher Normoyle another ex-New Guinea Army officer was acting commissioner in 1953 whilst Grimshaw was on sick leave. Normoyle took the baton and became the second commissioner in 1954 until his retirement in 1964 to live in Bowral, New South Wales, Australia. He passed away there on 7 August 1981. Robert Rothsay Cole, a Kiap, was another fine ex-Army officer who was district officer at Wewak. Robert Cole was a long time Territorian who took charge of the baton in 1964-1969. Robert was very popular with both local ranks and officers, with many of them serving with him in the ANGAU. Robert Cole passed away on 24 November 2008. On Cole’s retirement, the baton moved to the controversial and somewhat unpopularRay Whitrod, who moved on after a short period as commissioner (11/1/69-31/3/1970). When a question was put to Whitrod about his time as commissioner in New Guinea, he responded: “Well, it's a short story because it was stupid of me to go in the first place”.The constabulary had another commissioner to take the baton. Norman Allen Mark Nicholls (1970-1974) served for four years as independence loomed. The last commissioner of the Royal Papuan New Guinea Constabulary wasBrian Holloway (1974-1975). Independence had begun.
The Post War Constabulary In 1942 with the invasion of the territories of Papua and New Guinea by the Japanese, the Royal Papua Constabulary and the New Guinea Police Force combined on a war time basis to form one service under the banner of the Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit. During the war against Japan, the police expanded to a strength of around 2,900 and played an outstanding and valiant role during the campaign. Their duties of the time were coast watching, fighting patrols, scouts and spies. As the war ended and hostilities ceased, the force resumed its peace time activities under a combined Papua and New Guinea Administration. The Royal Papua and New Guinea Constabulary (RP&NGC) is a member of a distinguished and select company of worldwide Commonwealth police forces including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, The Royal Ulster Constabulary, and (until 1997) Royal Hong Kong Police Force.John Spillard Grimshaw applied to be Chief of Police, New Guinea Police Force on 9 May 1946, a position formally held by Lieutenant Colonel Walstab. Grimshaw made a second application, submitted on 5 November 1946 for the position of the Superintendent of Police Provisional Administration of the Territory Papua and New Guinea. Grimshaw received his appointment for Superintendent, Papuan New Guinea Police on 11 February 1947. The organisation of the RP&NGC then came under the command of John Grimshaw, the first Commissioner of the Royal Papuan Constabulary and New Guinea Police Force. John Spillard Grimshaw later resigned whilst on sick leave in Australia on 20 October 1954 after a controversial charge by some petty bureaucrat.Christopher Normoyle another ex-New Guinea Army officer was acting commissioner in 1953 whilst Grimshaw was on sick leave. Normoyle took the baton and became the second commissioner in 1954 until his retirement in 1964 to live in Bowral, New South Wales, Australia. He passed away there on 7 August 1981. Robert Rothsay Cole, a Kiap, was another fine ex-Army officer who was district officer at Wewak. Robert Cole was a long time Territorian who took charge of the baton in 1964-1969. Robert was very popular with both local ranks and officers, with many of them serving with him in the ANGAU. Robert Cole passed away on 24 November 2008. On Cole’s retirement, the baton moved to the controversial and somewhat unpopularRay Whitrod, who moved on after a short period as commissioner (11/1/69-31/3/1970). When a question was put to Whitrod about his time as commissioner in New Guinea, he responded: “Well, it's a short story because it was stupid of me to go in the first place”.The constabulary had another commissioner to take the baton. Norman Allen Mark Nicholls (1970-1974) served for four years as independence loomed. The last commissioner of the Royal Papuan New Guinea Constabulary wasBrian Holloway (1974-1975). Independence had begun.
John Spillard Grimshaw
John Spillard Grimshaw
1947-1954
Christopher Normoyle
1954 - 1964
Robert (Bob) Cole
1964-1969
Robert Cole’s appointment as Commissioner of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary was on the 8 December 1964 after the resignation of Christopher Normoyle on the 30th November 1964. This was a very popular appointment, during his time with the ANGAU during the Second World War and his well-known Praetorian Guard many of whom were members of the Royal Papuan Constabulary and New Guinea Police Force, later to become the Royal Papua & New Guinea Constabulary to which becomes their Commanding officer again. Many of the senior police had served with him during the New Guinea campaign. As Commissioner Cole introduced many changes including an extension of areas under police jurisdiction, creation of the Special Branch and revitalised the Royal Papua & New Guinea Constabulary giving direction and preparing the Constabulary for independence.
Ray Whitrod
1969-1970
He was not adequately acquainted with local customs and administrative practices to be effective as the Commissioner of a Colonial Constabulary
Norman Allan Mark Nicholls
1970-1974
After a 30 year career with the Australian Army Brigadier Nicholls became the Commissioner for Police for Papua New Guinea. 1973
Brian Holloway
1974-1975
The last commissioner of the Royal Papuan New Guinea ConstabularyIndependence had begun
Pius Barbey Kerepia
02/02/1976 - 7/11/1977
The first commissioner after Independence Resigned 7/11/1977. Was appointed Secretary of the Department of Works and was Commissioner Corrective Services in 1986. He was murdered in Port Moresby in April 1990.
Commissioner Bill Tiden QBE QPM
Commissioner Bill Tiden QBE QPM
7/11/1977 - 2/5/1979.
Was the second Commissioner post Independence
Bill enlisted in the New Guinea Police Force at Rabaul pre war. Joined Royal Papuan and New Guinea Police Force on 30/3/1946 (later renamed Roya lPapua & New Guinea Comstabulatry. He was admitted to the Officer Training Course at Bomana Police College graduating in 24/8/1964. Appointed as Commissioner on 7/11/19)77 he retired on 2/5/1979.
