Andrew wants to restore trust in the police force

By ALPHONSE PORAU
WITH the aim to help address the growing concern over police violence and brutality, Andrew Agarong, 59, sacrificed his time to complete his law studies to be an adjudicator in the force.
Agarong, from Niapak village in the Bogia district of Madang, was among 64 lawyers admitted to the bar at the Waigani National Court on Friday.
He is also a senior sergeant and a veteran of the Royal PNG Constabulary, serving for 38 years and attached to the police internal affairs department.
Senior Sergeant Agarong said he took up law mainly to restore the public’s trust which had been lost because of police violence and brutality.
He said using his position as an adjudicator, he was confident that his colleagues would listen to him.
“I am with the police internal affairs and have seen policemen abuse the law and assault people,” he said.
“Now that I am in this position and sponsored by the force, I will go back and educate my police officers not to mistreat or resort to violence when dealing with the public – whether it be criminals or anyone.
“I will try to make policemen fully understand the law and also the rights of the people, whom they must respect.”
Agarong encourages the young and old not to give up education but continue to strive for the best.
He said that even though there were challenges he faced with his family while in school, he managed them both and now wanted to be the best in the business of law.
“Words cannot express how grateful I am to achieve this. I feel honoured and blessed,” he said.
“This is a challenge to the older people like me, especially in the workforce, to continue their education and achieve what I have achieved.
“Many might think that we are old but we still have time to achieve something and nurture the young to be good people in the future.
“I faced a lot of problems, like my own family problems and issues but I managed to balance both to make sure that my family enjoyed the life they have while I did my studies.” Agarong has motivated his 15-year-old daughter Eslyne to follow in his footsteps.
“What I’ve learned from this is to be a better person and … fight for what you really want to achieve or aim for,” she said. “I am really schooling hard and hope to follow my dad’s footsteps.”
Angarong joined the police force in 1979 after high school.