Police in Western warned against providing escort

By JUNIOR UKAHA
POLICE in Western have been warned not to follow election candidates around or be involved in private escorts.
New provincial police commander Insp Silva Sika had been told that some officers in the province could be escorting candidates around during campaigning.
“Anybody caught associating with candidates will be dealt with. My stand is clear,” he said.  
He said police officers should be wary because candidates would do anything to win the election.
Police Commissioner Operations Simon Kauba last month warned police that they had a paid job and should not look for employment elsewhere.
“I told the rank and file (in Western) to be responsible and improve on discipline,” he said.
Sika said more than 200 officers comprising regular and reservists were dispatched throughout the province to conduct election security operations.
Sika said that campaigns so far in the pro­vince were peaceful following the nomination period.
“Drugs and alcohol consumption including general law and order problems will be also addressed as part of the special operations,” he said.
Sika said 31 candidates were contesting the regional seat, 33 for the North Fly seat, 31 contesting Middle Fly and 37 contesting South Fly.