Kramer reveals plan for patrols

POLICE Minister Bryan Kramer, pictured, says 144 mobile squad policemen may be deployed to check the growing threat of crime in Madang town.
“The plan is to have four squads patrolling to prevent crime and, address law and order. And, if this effort proved successful, we will do the same for other districts afflicted by rising crime,” he said.
Usino-Bundi MP Jimmy Uguro, who asked Kramer for plans to address lawlessness in Madang, also called for the Madang police commander (PPC) acting Supt Ben Neneo to be replaced.
However, Kramer said law and order problems were not only unique in Madang but a nationwide issue.
“Madang and Alotau were once peaceful towns,” he said.
“But it is no longer now and it is the same nationwide.
“But if I concentrate on Madang only, it will be unfair.
“My focus now is the police structure. The ratio is now 7,500 officers and men to about 12 million people in PNG.
“So manpower is a concern.
“For example, in East New Britain’s Pomio, it has 11,000sqkm of mostly rugged terrain.
“And only one policewoman officer is policing that district.
“The police force have serious disciplinary and logistic problems and I cannot be politicising the force. Just last week, the Finance Department cut K1.3 million in funds for police vehicle fuel.
“So police vehicles have no fuel nationwide. Also, I have no powers to remove the Madang PPC.
“The police force will not be politicised.
“Six governors have approached me to remove their respective PPCs of which I had objected.”