NEWLY appointed Provincial Police Commander (PPC) for Southern Highlands, Chief Inspector Kelly Sombe has officially taken over the post from acting PPC Chief Inspector Philip Kumo following the Handover-Take-Over (HOTO) ceremony on Friday 17th July 2026 at Mendi Police Station.
Chief Inspector Kelly Sombe has officially assumed duty as the Provincial Police Commander (PPC) for Southern Highlands Province. He takes over from Chief Inspector Philip Kumo, who served as Acting PPC following the passing of the late Chief Inspector Mas Tuman.
Mr Sombe thanked Chief Inspector Kumo for his service as acting PPC and for his continued leadership at Mendi Police Station. Mr Kumo will now take up his substantive position as Mendi Police Station Commander (PSC).
Mr Sombe in his address said his priorities would be law and order for 2027 national general elections as he wants zero tolerance for violence, intimidation, and destruction of election materials.
PPC Sombe also priorities on Illegal Firearm Amnesty and promised to continue work with the community leaders to remove illegal guns. He would partnership with the communities as police cannot do it alone. They (police) need churches, leaders and citizens to stand with them to make Southern Highlands a better province to live and work in.
PPC is now calling on all leaders, policemen and policewomen in the province to cooperate and work with him. He was a former Highlands Mobile Group Commander and operated in the province sometimes back then and knew how people operate here in the province.
PPC Sombe is not new to the province and urged everyone to work together to maintain peace and good order in the province.
