Directorate investigating cops

By SYLVESTER WEMURU
POLICE are investigating the shooting and wounding of a man at Laloki outside of Port Moresby yesterday morning.
According to a complaint lodged at the Internal Affairs Directorate, the man was allegedly shot by police personnel.
Internal Affairs Directorate director Chief Supt Robert Ali said there were more than 30 allegations against police that had been reported to his office during the state of emergency period.
Chief Supt Ali said six of the allegations were from outside provinces while the rest were from the National Capital District and Central.
He said most of the reports were on police damaging property and stealing items from the victims.
Chief Supt Ali said the others included harassment and assault, smuggling betel nut and illegal raids. He said extortion cases were also reported and police were investigating them.
He said one of the complaints that was reported was that of the spouse of an officer selling betel nut at the barracks during the ban that was declared by the State of Emergency Controller and Police Commissioner David Manning.
Chief Supt Ali said it was happening in all police barracks throughout the country but not being reported.
“We should be enforcing these orders but some of our officers have seen fit to breach the orders,” he said.
“The complaints lodged will be investigated and proper actions will be taken against them.”
Chief Supt Ali urged the public to report any instance of misconduct by police officers during the SOE and assured the people that all complaints and reports would be investigated.