Cops charged with attempted rape

National, Normal
Source:

The National – Wednesday, September 28th 2011

By JACOB POK
THE Vanimo police station commander and an auxiliary police officer have been charged with attempted rape in West Sepik.
The officers allegedly attacked a married woman between midnight and 2am on Sept 10.
It is alleged that the two police officers, while on duty, picked up the woman in a police vehicle near the town area and drove towards the end of the Vanimo airport.
The woman is alleged to be a relative of the station commander, who is a senior inspector by rank.
The two officers allegedly, under the influence of alcohol, forced the woman to have sex with them but she refused.
It is alleged that when the officers persisted and kept harassing the woman, she screamed for help.
A youth from a nearby settlement heard the cries for help and went to her aid. But he was allegedly bashed up by the two officers.
Sandaun provincial police commander Tobby Hamago confirmed the incident and described it as a  “disgrace to the police force.”
“We as police officers have sworn at oath to protect lives and properties. I am humiliated by actions of my men who do what they are not supposed to do.”
Hamago said no one was above the law and such actions by police officers would be seriously dealt with.
He said he had ordered the suspension of the two officers pending the outcome of their court proceeding.
Meanwhile, Hamago said an Indonesian man was caught by customs and police officers smuggling stolen motorcycles into Vanimo.
He said the middle-age man was caught at the PNG-Indonesia boarder at Wutung, when he was about to cross into the country with his alleged stolen machines.
Hamago said the man was believed to be the one smuggling stolen motor cycles into Vanimo and re-selling them at a cheaper price.
He said the Vanimo town was already filled with such motor cycles.
Hamago said investigations were still being carried out by police officers.