Papua New Guinea's police commissioner, Toami Kulunga, has told his senior officers they could be replaced by foreigners if they fail to establish their authority over their subordinates.
This comes after a series of criminal activities allegedly involving junior officers, including robberies, murder and attempted murder, the slashing of the ankles of dozens of men, a fan belt attack on a woman and suspects forced to perform indecent acts.
Mr Kulunga, who has vowed to clean up the force, accused the senior leaders of closing their eyes to this criminality as if it was morally and legally right.
He summoned the Port Moresby commanders to a meeting at a hotel on Thursday to tell them unless there were improvements, he would put foreigners in their places.
Australia has already committed to increase its aid assistance to the PNG police.
The Commissioner also admonished officers for their untidy appearance and called on them not to use guns casually.
There have been incidents in which members of the public have been wounded when police fired supposed warning shots.
Mr Kulunga also says the carrying of high powered firearms in the capital should cease to stop causing undue anxiety among the public.
