Manning reiterates warning to police

POLICE commissioner David Manning has reiterated his warning that if police personnel break the law, they will be arrested, charged and sacked from the force.
He repeated the warning after an off-duty police officer, his partner and a civilian were locked up in Boroko for allegedly damaging an automated teller machine at Stop and Shop Rainbow supermarket in the National Capital District.
“Police personnel are accountable to the laws of the nation and if they commit an illegal act, they will be prosecuted,” Manning said.
“The Stop and Shop incident has been investigated.
“Based on the evidence I have seen, I anticipate charges will be made.”
He said like any citizen, the police officer had the right to a fair trial in the criminal court, but police who commit criminal acts would be prosecuted and sacked.
Manning said it was unacceptable for any policeman “to carry on the way I have seen in the security images”.
“It does not matter if you are on duty or off duty, these are grounds for dishonourable discharge from the police force. A brief is being prepared for the appropriate disciplinary action.”
Prime Minister James Marape said: “The Bomana training facility was upgraded to take up to 1,000 intakes for a longer period, holistic police training, so those officers who are not working properly can be terminated from the force at any time.
“The same applies to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force and the Correctional Services.”
Internal Security Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jr, who is in charge of police and correctional services, said they were firm on their intent of getting the force back to what it supposed to be.
“Gone are the days of being tolerant to such behaviours,” he said.
“These ill-disciplined behaviours by police officers has also direct correlation to the instability of Government.
“Our new recruits will therefore have zero tolerance on smoking, chewing, drinking or gambling.
“We want to change mindsets and build leaders.”
Meanwhile, the recruitment for police has been outsourced to keep impartiality and avoid nepotism.
Manning said: “While individuals have to take responsibility for their actions, preventing bad behaviour is also the responsibility of their regional commanders.”
He said assistant police commissioner Anthony Wagambie Jr had reported the situation and overall discipline within his command and “I have made it clear that I expected better”.
“There have been several incidents over the past year in the NCD and Central command, and I have directed a crackdown and further removal of personnel who do the wrong things. This includes stepped-up drug and alcohol testing.”
Manning said after removing more than 300 ill-disciplined officers over the past year, there had been criticisms, but he stood by his decision to clean up the constabulary. “The police officers who I have sacked for offences were causing harm to our people, that outweighed any contribution they were making as police,” he said.