Manning issues stern warning

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
POLICE have been warned that those who damage state property, including vehicles, will have to pay for the damage from their own pockets.
Police Commissioner David Manning issued the warning, saying that he intended to initiate the process whereby final entitlements or savings of the members found guilty were automatically deducted to repair or replace the damaged property.
“For far too long, members have been getting away lightly,” he said.
“I intend to hold members personally liable for criminal conduct.
“This is meant as a deterrent to other serving members as well.”
Last month, a police sergeant attached to Madang police public safety was arrested and charged with negligent driving causing injury.
He was driving one of the 12 new Nissan Patrols provided by local MP Bryan Kramer, who was then the police minister.
“Following my debriefing with the police commissioner, it was agreed that the police force will also take out civil proceedings against the officer to recover the cost of the vehicle,” Kramer said.
The vehicle is valued at K167,000 and was one of the 12 bought as part of a partnership between the Police Department and the Madang development authority with both entities putting K1 million each to purchase the vehicles.”
Last Friday, a first constable was allegedly drunk when he rammed into a route 15 PMV bus carrying passengers at Waigani in Port Moresby.
A young woman died and 13 others were injured.
The officer was charged with one count of dangerous driving causing death.