‘Bomana situation has been sorted’

A STANDOFF between some policemen from the special services division and members of the dog unit at Bomana Police College has been resolved.
However, investigations will be conducted to ensure members who breached the constabulary’s code of ethics are disciplined or reprimanded, says acting Police Commissioner Jim Andrews, pictured.
Some members of Mobile Squad 2 based at McGregor Barracks went to the dog unit barracks at Bomana on Monday claiming that one of their colleague had been assaulted by members of the dog unit.
Andrews said that the matter was quickly brought under control by senior officers who took charge of the situation and persuaded the two parties to return to their barracks.
“As part of measures taken by the constabulary management to rebuild comradeship within the organisation, a march or exercise involving SSD personnel and members of the dog unit will take place this weekend from Baruni to McGregor Barracks,” Andrews said.
“This management initiative is aimed at restoring the feeling of esprit-de-corps within the RPNGC.
“I have also issued directives for the SSD management to ensure proper firearms management practices set under the constabulary standing orders are adhered to at all times.”
Andrews also issued a directive to all operational commanders to clamp down on drunk and disorderly behaviour within the precincts of all police barracks and police premises.
“The constabulary will also transfer more new recruit intakes into the internal affairs directorate so they can be trained to investigate and adjudicate cases in order to maintain standards and values within the constabulary,” he said.
“The internal affairs directorate is now adequately equipped – with new officers and equipment, including computers and vehicles, but understaffed.”
Andrews said due to an increase in police-abuse cases, the constabulary was contemplating posting 30 new recruits early this year to boost the operations of the internal affairs directorate.
“We hope by increasing the manpower in internal affairs, we will reduce the number of police-abuse cases,” he said.
“We will also source training for these new recruits, particularly in the areas of arrests, case management and adjudication.”