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Minutes figure in bashing
A COPY of an internal minutes from the chief police prosecutor to the
police commissioner advising on the pending investigation and interview
of crimes director Raphael Huafolo was reportedly faxed from a newsroom
to the office of the commissioner.
Senior police officers speaking on the condition of anonymity told The
National that the newspaper had “added fuel to the fire” in the light of
current situation and existence of alleged factions within the police
force.
This, they claimed, also could have allegedly led to the attack on Chief
Superintendent Thomas Eluh on Wednesday at Gordon in Port Moresby.
Mr Eluh on Wednesday afternoon, soon after the attack and the service of
his suspension notice by NCD/Central commander Alfred Reu, maintained
that he was not the person who had circulated the minute, especially to
the media.
Mr Eluh claimed that the minutes to Mr Baki, which copies where made to
the two deputy police commissioners (operations and administration), was
probably picked up by someone along the line with an interest in the
issue, and as a result, the copies reached the media.
“Whoever got the letter and gave it, I have no idea.
“This is not the way the police force should be run.
“I am a man of principle, a man of integrity,” Mr Eluh said, adding that
he had told the officers close to Commissioner Gari Baki to ask the
newspaper as to who had dropped the copy of the minutes.
He said when the copies of the minutes from the newsroom reached the
commissioner’s office, he was called and asked why he had circulated the
internal minutes especially to the media.
The faxed minutes reportedly bore footnotes that claimed Mr Eluh
circulated the minutes dated March 13, to the media.
After he was reportedly questioned, a letter was written to him accusing
him of insubordination in circulating the letter to the media.
“He (Huafolo) is subject to the completion of the interview process.
That is why I wrote to the commissioner,” Mr Eluh said.
Mr Eluh is on a 21-day suspension effective as of 0800 hours on March
27.
While he is on suspension, he has been instructed to refrain from having
access to police stations, offices or facilities and refrain from any
communication with any officers involved in prosecution duties.
He was also ordered to surrender any police issued items such as
vehicles, firearms and ammunition, office keys and computers, among
others.
Meanwhile, one of the alleged attackers of Mr Eluh – an inspector – was
confirmed to have been detained at the Boroko police station.
Sources said the officer would be charged with robbery and deprivation
of liberty, although only an assault charge was thought of when he was
detained while still under the influence of alcohol.
 
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