Higher bail bond sought

 HIGH bail fees and tougher penalties are ways to  discourage repeat offending, NCD ActingMetropolitan Supt Perou N’dranou says.

His comment follows a suspect charged with sexual penetration being bailed for K500 in Port Moresby.

N’dranou said sexual penetration was a serious crime and such  bail was disappointing to police and the complainants.

“It is a slap on the face for police officers who try their best to arrest not only sexual offenders but others as well and fees are too low,” he said.

N’dranou said tougher penalties would discourage offenders repeating crimes.

He believed the court was too lenient at times, which led to repeat crimes.

“If tougher penalties are imposed, we will have lower crime rates in our country.” 

Meanwhile, N’dranou warned his officers to carry out their duty professionally and responsibly.

It was reported that a suspect was allowed by officers at the cell block at the Boroko police station to walk around while in custody.

The suspect was arrested and charged with sexual penetration and was seen outside the station by the complainant.

The complainant allegedly saw the suspect making phone calls.

N’dranou said the CID branch was carrying out internal investigations.

 “This is a bad practice and you (police officers) must refrain from such corrupt practice,” he told officers.

The complainant said: “I confronted the police officers and the suspect and they were speechless.”