Cops can use all required force

POLICE have the authority to use all necessary force to stop criminals from misbehaving in public, says Met Supt Perou N’dranou.
N’dranou outlined police powers when responding to an incident that happened at around 4pm on Monday at the North Waigani betel nut market.
Two policemen were assaulted by vendors when they were trying to address a complaint.
N’dranou said there was a complaint of assault of a person by vendors at the market and the two policemen from the Waigani police station went there to arrest the suspect but were attacked by vendors.
He said the policemen went back to the station and asked for re-inforcement, the team went back to the market and there was a confrontation between the police and the vendors.
That was when police used necessary force to disperse the crowd.
N’dranou said no one was shot as assumed by the public but an elderly woman fell and injured herself when she was trying to escape the incident.
“Police were there to disperse those illegal vendors who turned into criminals so we have to use force to stop them from continuing their activities, our police did not use unnecessary force on anyone,” he said.
“No authority in the world should back down from criminals, we cannot give in when criminals misbehave and want to attack police.
We will use all available force to refrain them from taking control over the city.”
N’dranou said the administration will be implementing the new city laws against illegal selling and consumption of betel nuts in public places and warns all sellers in illegal areas in NCD to move.
Meanwhile, NCD-Central acting Assistant Comm Anthony Wagambie Jr said police attempted to arrest a man at the crowded Waigani bus stop on Monday but some drunkards intervened, resulting in a commotion between police and civilians.