Five officers accused of causing serious injuries, stealing

By MARJORIE FINKEO
FIVE police officers in East New Britain have been arrested and charged with causing serious bodily harm and stealing property, police say.
Provincial police commander Inspector Joseph Tabali said in the case of causing serious bodily harm, three police officers from Kokopo and one from Pomio allegedly assaulted a woman and others quite seriously on different occasions in December.
Tabali said the fifth suspect was engaged in a police raid operation this month during search for missing chainsaws belonging to Sand Niugini Ltd, an oil palm company in ENB.
The suspect allegedly stole one of the machines during the recovery.
“He is given 21 days’ suspension from office and will be further investigated along with others,” Tabali said.
He said another officer was arrested and charged with the assault of lawyer working with Warnsend Lawyers firm in Kokopo last week.
“Five of my policemen are suspended from office, are already arrested and charged with abusing police powers,” he said.
Tabali his office did not tolerate such police members in East New Britain and the authority would walk through the route to deal with such offences.
“I will not leave those who abuse the police power, there is zero tolerance of such behaviours and attitude,” he said.