Buk bilong Pikinini launches second When I Grow Up reader for Book Week – When I Grow Up I Want to be a Police Officer

Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) today proudly launched the second title in its When I Grow Up (WIGU) reader series for Book Week 2025, bringing the total number of titles in the series to thirty. When I Grow Up I Want to be a Police Officer – featuring Sylvia Reu, LM, DPS, Chief Inspector Liaison Officer to Police Minister, and teams from the Royal Papua New Guinea Police Constabulary (RPNGC) – was launched at the Water Police Headquarters in Konedobu, where the Buk bilong Pikinini students and team were warmly welcomed by the Water Police Deputy Director, Inspector Giwi Yaku and team.

Former BbP student Sandrian Paul, from the Pari Library Learning Centre (LLC), had spent a day with Chief Inspector Reu and other police personnel, including a teams from the Airwing and Water Police, to learn what it takes to serve as a Police Officer. Sandrian’s experience has been captured in the newly published reader to inspire children across Papua New Guinea to consider a career in policing.

To mark today’s launch, 20 students from the Pari LLC joined Sandrian and Chief Inspector Reu for a special tour of the Water Police Headquarters, where they learned about the various vehicles, vessels, specialised equipment, and safety equipment used in water policing assisted by Water Police team members who helped excited students who enjoyed seeing close up banana boats, a rubber duckie and jet skis, among many other things.

BbP Founder and Vice Chair Anne-Sophie Hermann said: “We are grateful to Chief Inspector Sylvia Reu, the RPNGC and the Water Police for the opportunity to produce a reader detailing the many types of jobs that are available to those working for the Police. The children greatly enjoyed learning all the exciting and important aspects which go into keeping the community safe.”

Chief Inspector Sylvia Reu shared her thoughts on the initiative where she had spent a day with Sandrian going through the various activities a police officer undertakes. She also spoke to the students about the differences in police officers’ uniforms and ranks, emphasising that police officers are their friends and work to keep the community safe. She hopes this will encourage more children to be drawn to police work.

BbP expressed its gratitude to Sylvia Reu, LM, DPS Liaison Officer to Police Minister and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, especially Inspector Giwi Yaku, Deputy Director for Water Police, Sergeant Steven Kodana, Acting ACP Logistics Chris Smith, Senior Constable Alfred Kawang, First Constable Chris Kaoire, PW First Constable Bevelyn William, First Constable Darius Deburmai and PW Constable Sabina Pagasa, for agreeing to be featured in the WIGU series and for attending this launch event. We are also grateful to the Minister for Internal Security, Hon. Peter Tsiamalili Jnr as well as Commissioner for Police, David Manning, MBE, CSTJ, QPM.

BbP also thanked Maryann Ballantyne of Wild Dog Books for her support with external editing, Roan Paul Photography for support with photography and the Sir Brian Bell Foundation (SBBF), and SBBF Support Squad for attending the launch and supporting the printing and shipping of the WIGU readers.

The WIGU series introduces children to different career pathways through engaging, locally relevant stories. Other titles to be launched this week include:

·         When I Grow Up I Want to be a Project Manager – featuring Hebou Constructions

·         When I Grow Up I Want to be a Production Manager – featuring Monier Ltd

·         When I Grow Up I Want to be a Mechanic – featuring Ela Motors