I was not told of summit: Vaki

 By SIMON NIANFOP

Police Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki said he did not deliberately miss the Leaders’ Summit in Port Moresby two weeks ago.

Vaki was disappointed with media reports about his absence from the summit where he was expected to present a report on police performance and achievements.

The summit was hosted by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

Vaki said he did not miss the summit on purpose but because he was not given a programme and that there were other matters to attend to.

He said at that time he was having a briefing with investigators in the Hanuabada and Tatana shooting cases.

He received a call then to say he was supposed to do a presentation.

Coincidentally, Police Minister Robert Atiyafa was out of town to attend to a landslide at Henganofi in Goroka, Eastern Highlands.

He said he was not notified that he was required to attend the summit or issued a programme.

“Contrary to what the papers were saying, there was no deliberate intention,” Vaki said.

“You give me a programme and want me to be there, I am there.

“If I was well-informed, I should be there to present the constabulary paper on how the Government wants us to progress,” he said.

Vaki said the newspapers should have presented a fair report by reporting his views as well.

He said he sent an apology to the Prime Minister and Police Minister.

Meanwhile, Vaki said individual reflection and assessment were needed to improve and reform policing.

He emphasised that during a police dedication service in Port Moresby yesterday.

He said the public had expectations of police and it was time they reflected and made improvements.

“I believe criticisms are good, so long as they are constructive. From criticisms, we can reflect and go back and do appraising and decide how best we can keep the organisation going forward,” Vaki said.

“We can have our benchmark in the constabulary, but people in the country look at us for guidance and protection and they are the ones to say whether we are functioning as an organisation.”