Ex-policeman in East Sepik wants rogue unit disbanded

A FORMER policeman in East Sepik has called on provincial police commander Snr Insp Vincent Pokas to disband a police task force unit comprising members of the reserve and auxiliary police personnel.
The ex-cop, who asked not to be identified, said the police unit, code name “ID 24 or Nogat Taim” had been using excessive force on citizens, “some of whom are innocent people who do not deserve beatings from police”.
He said men, women and children had suffered cuts, bruises and swelling at the hands of the unit, members of which had no regard for human lives.
He said said auxiliary members who were not trained policemen were carrying and discharging firearms.
That, he said, was not in their line of duty.
But Pokas defended his men, saying those handling firearms had undergone weapons handling training and were capable of handling the firearms.
He said the unit was doing a fine job in curbing lawlessness in Wewak but if there were complaints, he would be happy to handle them.
Pokas said while some complaints against the unit could be genuine.
He said others could be from persons who only intended to destabilise the unit and promote criminal activities in their area.
He said those with complaints should approach his office so that measures could be taken to rectify them if there had been any misconduct by police.
“In the meantime, the unit is doing a fine job and there are no plans to disband it,” he said.