Cops suspected of killing church elder arrested

By JAMES GUMUNO
THE three police officers who allegedly killed a church elder on Christmas Day were working for a private security company, according to acting provincial police commander Chief Inspector Tim Korado.
He said the three were arrested on Thursday and detained at the Mt Hagen police station cell while investigations into the death of the elder continued.
It is alleged that the three had assaulted the church elder and a pastor on the four-lane road under construction from the Kagamuga airport to the city in Western Highlands.
Korado denied that the three officers were part of Christmas and New Year police operations.
He told The National that the three were engaged by a private firm providing security along the road.
“I do not know the duty statement of these policemen,” he said.
“I have requested the road construction manager to provide me a statement clearly stating the duties of the policemen engaged on the road construction.”
The officers have been refused bail.
“Police bail is not allowed. They will stay behind bars while the investigation is continuing,” Korado said.
The three will have to engage a lawyer to apply to the court for bail, if they want to. Korado said as soon as police received statements from eyewitnesses, appropriate charges would be laid.
Korado warned police officers that they were not above the law and would face justice if they committed an offence.
He said there was no room in the constabulary for ill-disciplined officers.