The Papua New Guinea police commissioner, Gari Baki, has given officers until the end of this month to sever their links with private security companies.
Commissioner Baki says a failure to withdraw services and return to normal policing duties means they will face disciplinary action.
Mr Baki says the constabulary is mandated to safeguard the community regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or social status, but this can be compromised by working for private security firms.
He says the directive doesn't apply to organisations that the police has a formal arrangement with, such as Air Niugini, the Bank South Pacific, the Porgera Gold Mine, the LNG project and others.
