Cop vows to probe ‘pay’ incident

SOUTHERN Highlands police commander Chief Supt Martin Lakari has promised to investigate and deal with his officers who did not follow protocols while paying out three-day allowances for the Imbonggu show.
One of his officers was blamed for not paying allowances to police and members of the PNG Defence Force who were providing security at the show that was attended by Prime Minister James Marape.
Chief Supt Lakari said the allowances were paid to police, and the officer who took the money should have left it to the (police) administration to handle.
He said the officer decided to pay out the allowances and that frustrated his colleagues.
Chief Supt Lakari said if the money was delivered to the administration then there would not have been any disruptions at the show.
He said the officer who took money broke police protocols and was summonsed to turn up today at his office.
“Police in frustration with their colleague locked up buildings with people inside,” Chief Supt Lakari said.
“Police have a system in place when it comes to allowances.
“The funding could be released to the provincial police headquarters in Mendi so that the administration can handle it.”
He said the officer who took the money made the payments on the street which was a breach of police protocols.
He said police mobile units from Mt Hagen and Hela and PNGDF members were providing security for the three days and deserved to be paid.
Chief Supt Lakari said it was nothing to do with the public, it was a police administration issue.
He said the event was peaceful but only one person created a commotion.