Police under watch

By ABIGAIL PHOEBE
A 24-HOUR call centre will be set up in Port Moresby for people to report any misconduct by officers or the misuse of police vehicles, says Police Commissioner Gari Baki.
He told divisional and provincial police commanders attending the annual Commissioner’s Conference in Kimbe, West New Britain, yesterday that this was done to “bring back discipline” to the constabulary and to ensure officers conducted themselves in a responsible and professional manner in the execution of their duties.
“This is not to threaten the policemen and women but to guide them to walk their path in a disciplined organisation. This is very important,” Baki said.
Baki said there would also be billboards set up to educate the people on what police officers could and could not do when carrying out their duties.
The Port Moresby call centre, when it receives a report, will refer it to the provincial police commander or the station commander who is expected to take appropriate action.
Baki said it should not take more than 21 days for Port Moresby to provide a response to the report.
The Kimbe conference will include a two-day symposium focusing on discipline in the police force and ways to address disciplinary issues.
The conference is also being attended by officers from the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, the Solicitor-General and Ombudsman Commission offices.
Meanwhile, Baki called on the people to respect the role of the Electoral Commission and police in next year’s general election.
“I don’t want anyone to intimidate or disturb these officers. They are doing their roles to see we elect our leaders,” he said.
He told the people of West New Britain that they should not expect police officers from outside the province coming in to assist the election operations.
“I want Papua New Guineans living in West New Britain to think as locals and conduct their elections as locals,” Baki said.
“I don’t want you to bring your own style of elections and manipulate the election process or systems in the province.”
Baki said WNB had been rated a high-risk area for next year’s polls and police were very much aware of that.