Investigation starts into officers involved in attack on Parliament

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
Correctional Services officers who took part in the attack on Parliament on Tuesday will be dealt with, says Acting CS Commissioner Stephen Pokanis.
He said yesterday that investigations had started and suspects would be dealt with under the Apec Safety and Security Act.
“That Act is still in force until Dec 1, 2018,” Pokanis said.
“A total 371 PNGCS officers were engaged in the Apec Joint Security Task Force for the security operations, of which 300 of were at Parliament with police officers protesting for their allowances.
“The rest were at the Bomana PNGCS training college. I have met with Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari, PNG Defence Force Commander Gilbert Toropo and Police Commissioner Gari Baki. Our task is to get back to our institutions, investigate and inform the Government.”
Pokanis said he and Correctional Services Minister Roy Biyama commenced their own internal investigations on Wednesday when they met their members who were engaged with the JSTF.
“They had stood down as of Tuesday afternoon and handed in all their weapons into the armory at the PNGCS Training College,” he said.
“We are also locking all the hired vehicles. These officers are now cooperating with us.”