Judge calls for law enforcers’ cooperation

 LAW enforcement agencies in Eastern Highlands should cooperate to serve the people.

The call came from resident National Court judge Joseph Yagi, who spoke during the 2015 legal year opening at the St John’s Lutheran Church this week in the presence of members of the legal fraternity, police, Correctional Services and the public. Yagi assured that staff at the national judicial courts would continue to work with members of the law enforcement agencies for the good of the people.

He told lawyers, court staff, police and Correctional Services officers that they should respect and treat everyone in the community as their own family member and refrain from abusing their professional powers. The main celebrant and Evangelical Lutheran pastor, Rev Graham Baital, said the national judicial staff, police officers and Correctional Services should use their professional powers for the good of all Papua New Guineans this year.

He said in the past years there had been many negative reports in the media about the abuse of power by those in the judiciary and police force. Baital said it hurt good citizens in the country when they read such reports because it tarnished the reputation of all Papua New Guineans to the outside world. 

“Where God gives you great power, comes great responsibility. You were chosen by God to carry out your profession. Therefore, use your authority with the fear of the Lord. We are all accountable to God in everything we do,” Baital said.

“When we fear God, we begin to understand our tasks, so be wise with your decisions this year.”