Chief Ombudsman, officers called to police station for ‘talks’ with cops

CHIEF Ombudsman Richard Pagen and four other Ombudsman Commission officers were taken to the Boroko police station by the National Capital District police command fraud officers after they allegedly obstructed a search warrant presented at the office.
Media were told by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Crimes Hodges Ette that Pagen was taken in and then allowed to leave after talks with officers at Boroko.
“Pagen was brought in and after speaking to them it was deemed the matter wasn’t necessary for any police action,” ACP Ette said.
“They were allowed to leave.
“Investigations that are going on requires state institutions to assist.
“It would be proper not to cause disharmony within state institutions that collaborate in investigations of such nature that members are investigating.
“So they allowed them to go, they came to an understanding and accepted the search warrant.
“I must, however, without reservation, add that we maintain our willingness to work with other state agencies in the law and order sector.
“This was a regrettable incident where established proper procedures and processes were not followed.”
“Nevertheless, we will continue to endeavour to improve our collaborative relationship with other agencies and we are also looking to better understanding of the legal demarcations of responsibilities and functions of our partner agencies.
“No one was charged.”
The search warrant was executed by National Capital District’s fraud officers in relation to several investigations they had undertaken into certain matters of confidentiality that required state institutions to collaborate with police.