Investigation into police action

 POLICE are investigating as to who gave order for the return of illegal sex enhancement items to the man currently facing charges for selling them.

Police Crimes Division director Assistant Police Commissioner Victor Isouve said he was out of town when the products were taken back by some police officers.

The products consist of 371 erectile pills and tablets, a laptop containing pornographic pictures, which were confiscated from a foreigner living in Port Moresby. 

His shop was raided on January 12 by a joint government agency operation.

According to the Censorship Office, which is responsible for confiscating, censoring and destroying contraband, the items were taken the next day by police officers from the national drug squad to be used as evidence in the case against the man. It was believed that a week later, some police officers picked up the items from the drug squad office saying they had been ordered by their superiors to get them.

But Isouve said he was away in Bougainville at the time.

“I will take action on anyone who is found to be involved because these are illegal items,” Isouve said.

The Censorship Office also claims that the shop owner allegedly tried to bribe members of the drug squad not to lay charges against him and to return the items to him.

Lately, it was reported that  police force had launched an investigation into police brutality after video of an officer forcing a young woman to swallow condoms appeared online.

This week, police in the National Capital District revealed that 41 officers had been suspended and face 89 charges altogether.

Deputy Police Commissioner Operations Jim Andrews said the police had the best discipline standards and processes in place but the problem was with implementation and enforcement.

Andrews had applauded the NCD announcement and said other regional commanders could learn from it.

“That is good. The divisional commanders in other four regions should see that and would be able to step up their indiscipline operations and deal with their men,” Andrews said.