Applicants use fake certificates

 By ELIAS LARI

MORE than 100 certificates that were used in applications for recent police recruitment in Western Highlands were fake or scanned, police have found.

Provincial police commander Supt Martin Lakari said yesterday that of the 130 short-listed applicants only 29 were selected for interviews.

He added that recruitment officers at the Kimininga police barracks in Mt Hagen accepted 29 original certificates and rejected 101 that were fake and scanned.

Lakari said those applicants who used fake and scanned certificates would be arrested and charged as they had committed an 

offence.

“People should know that the department is modernised and such false pretence or cheating will not take place as technology is increasing both in the government and the private sector,” he said.

“All things have taken place while I was present there and it is sad that Western Highlands will not have new policemen and women compared to other centres.

“When it comes to the test and interviews, these people were sitting as idols and that brought suspicions to the recruitment officers.”

Lakari said police would investigate how the fake and scanned certificates were obtained.

“I have the names and details, so those people who have been rejected will be questioned and charged because of the criminal offence they have committed,” he said.

Lakari said the issue had brought shame to the province, its leaders and the people.

He said he was upset with what 

had occurred.

“My province has a good name in doing business, politics and provides quality leadership but people who are practising this will not escape. I will ensure they will be answerable,” Lakari said.

He also warned business houses, especially stationery shops or graphics and computer designers not to collaborate with their customers in producing fake documents.