Cop charged with stealing money

National
Source:
The National,Wednesday June 29th, 2016

A POLICEMAN in Manus has been arrested and charged with stealing court exhibit money.
Constable Joseph Kaliat, 44, of Muluno Ali Island, Aitape, West Sepik, will appear in the Lorengau District Court today.
He is out on bail and has been suspended from duties for 21 days.
Acting provincial police commander Senior Inspector David Yapu said Kaliat allegedly used money from the sale of marijuana.
The money was from a suspect that police had arrested for being in the possession of drugs.
Yapu said the drug suspect was in police custody for nine days without appearing in court because the exhibit money that was to be tendered as evidence was missing.
The suspect was released from custody and Yapu ordered an investigation into the matter which resulted in the arrest of the police officer.
Yapu said police officers were placed in a position of trust and authority and should carry out their duties with integrity and honesty and should not abuse their positions.