The RPNGC is part of the Law and Justice Sector of the government of Papua New Guinea. It is headquartered in Konedobu, a suburb of Port Moresby, the capital city, in the National Capital District. As of 2019, the Police Commissioner is David Manning, and several Deputy Commissioners are responsible for organizational functions and regions.

The RPNGC has been aided by various Australian initiatives, including supplying police forces and providing hundreds of millions of Australian dollars in assistance with budget, equipment and staffing. This aid is governed under the 1989 Treaty on Development Cooperation and has been carried out in several 5-year phases. For example, in phase II of the aid project, Australia budgeted A$80 million to deploy 53 full-time officers and material support. Phase III of the same program saw a proposal for an Enhanced Cooperation Programme with over 200 officers dispatched to aid in operations in 2004. However, after the PNG Supreme Court ruled the officers were not immune from prosecution, they were withdrawn amid diplomatic wrangling.

The RPNGC makes use of Community Auxiliary Police, volunteer forces that aid in policing rural communities.