Kramer accused of politicising police force

The PNG Police Association has accused Police Minister Bryan Kramer of politicising the police force.
Association president Lowa Tambua and general secretary Clemence Kanau in a joint statement condemned the “ignorance and blatant disregard of existing procedures and processes of appointing police commissioners, then revoking such appointments unceremoniously now and in the recent past”.
“These are career officers of the Royal PNG Constabulary who had three to four decades in experience and devoted their entire lives preserving peace and harmony in this country.
“Politicisation and witch hunting in the RPNGC will affect the morale and unity of the constabulary, which (will be) detrimental to citizens, business houses, investors and the whole nation. The good minister is urged to refrain from such actions but to maintain stability and continuity.”
It was in response to Kramer’s announcement on Tuesday that cabinet had appointed David Manning as the new acting police commissioner.
Tambua said police officers were still owed allowances for services rendered during the Apec Leaders’ Summit last November, totalling more than K86 million.