Fight crime, locals told

 By ADAM MERA

A COMMUNITY effort is fundamental in fighting crime successfully, a senior police officer says.

West New Britain police commander Chief Insp Samson Siguyaru said this in response to allegations of police abuse by a senior public servant in the province. 

The senior public servant, who did not want to be named, said certain factions in the police force in the province abused people during investigations.

Siguyaru said it was often difficult for his men to make a breakthrough in most of their cases because of the lack of trust between the police force and the community. 

“If the community is not behind any police work we are doing, then to make grounds on on-going investigations are very difficult,” Siguyaru said.

He said the alleged abuse by his officers would be looked into and the officers responsible would be dealt with.

Siguyaru said members of the local communities had been reluctant to inform police about suspects and information that could lead to arrests because of way they were being treated by police. 

“It is because of my men’s abusive behaviour that has crippled us most times. Without the help of the community, police work will always be difficult.”