Bawa back as ops chief

By JUNIOR UKAHA
NEW National Capital District police operations chief, Anderson Bawa, officially resumed duty yesterday.
He takes over from Supt Jim Namora who is on compassionate leave. 
Bawa was appointed to the post he once held for two years last week by acting commissioner of police Tony Wagambie.
Wagambie said yesterday the appointment was “done in the best interest of the police force and after consultation with the acting deputy commissioner of police (operations) Fred Yakasa”.
NCD metropolitan commander Supt Joseph Tondop said it was proper for Bawa to take up the post as he was no longer under investigation but only attending court hearings.
Attempts to get further comments yesterday from either Yakasa or Wagambie regarding the legality of Bawa’s appointment and whether he has been cleared by the courts of misconduct charges were unsuccessful.
In a hand-over-take-over gathering yesterday at Boroko police station conference room, Bawa said he was thankful to be back as the city’s police operations boss and would ensure police did their best in combating the surge in crime.
Namora was not present for the gathering but was understood to be notified by his superiors of the changes.
Bawa thanked Namora for a wonderful job, saying he was ready to take up his post.
He met the police station commanders in the city and asked them for their support and cooperation in policing the city.
“We have been fighting crime in the past and we can do it again,” Bawa said.
“We are accountable to the city residents and we need to diffuse crime. I am ready to work with you.”
Bawa said his “immediate task was to rid of all drunkards on the streets of NCD.
“People are drinking beer like they are drinking water and we will start with the basics first,” he said.
Bawa said given the rise in armed robberies his men would counter the threat by increasing their presence in the capital city.
Tondop, who facilitated the hand-over, challenged Bawa to carry on the good work the outgoing operations boss had done.
He reminded Bawa of the challenges of being a superintendent of operations in the city, urging him to consider the security and welfare of city residents as paramount.