Department staff charged for defaming cops

A PERSONAL assistant to the Police Department’s legal affairs director has been charged with making a defamatory publication on Facebook and tarnishing the names of two female police officers.
Elizabeth Sangol, 30, from Baluwan Island, Lorengau, Manus, was arraigned on July 5 at the Waigani Committal Court.
Sangol’s lawyer Kim Watakakura asked the court for a two-week adjournment to prepare a defence submission.
Presiding Magistrate Paul Puri Nii granted Watakakura’s request and adjourned the case to Sept 5.
It was alleged that on March 29, Sangol made a defamatory post in the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) Facebook group and posted a court-related matter that was pending between her and sisters Maureen and Sylvia Reu both of whom are police officers.
The Facebook post had the full names and ranks and their place of work.
The post went viral on social media and was shared by Facebook users which Sylvia and Maureen found offensive and insulting and tarnished their reputations as police officers.
Both parties have a court case that is pending at the Boroko District Court and the information published by Sangol was confidential.