Firearms use rule violated: Report

A REPORT compiled by the Ombudsman Commission has found that there is non-compliance by law enforcement officers in the use of firearms procedures and improper conduct of officers at the Gile Gile Correctional Institution in Alotau, Milne Bay.
Acting Chief Ombudsman Phoebe Sangetari and Ombudsman Michael Dick said in a statement the report highlighted significant issues relating to the state’s protection and promotion of human rights and good administration practices in correctional institutions.
The report also found that there was non-compliance on the use of reasonable force and the safe delivery of Ombudsman Commission letters to and from correctional service institutions.
“The Ombudsman Commission in exercising its discretion to publish this report under section 23 of the Organic Law on the Ombudsman Commission considers that publishing this report is in the public interest because its findings and recommendations apply to a large number of government agencies,” the statement said.
The commission added that the matters investigated should be debated widely.
The Speaker of Parliament is required under section 23 (1) (d) of the Organic Law on the Ombudsman Commission to present the report to the Parliament within eight sitting days of Parliament.
Speaker Theo Zurenouc, in receiving the report yesterday, commended the Ombudsman Commission and said the report would be tabled in Parliament. The commission said the report aimed to  serve the people and the Government.