Marape clarifies police roles

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PRIME Minister James Marape, pictured, clarified in Parliament yesterday that the police commissioner was responsible for all police operational matters.
His predecessor and Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill had called for a clarification on whether the police minister or police commissioner was responsible for operational matters in the constabulary.
Marape said the police minister “sits at the policy level, working policies of government and policies that the government feels in totality will gear towards ensuring that the police ministry and the police department function”.
“All operations matters of police belong to the function and role of the commissioner of police,” he said.
Marape also confirmed receiving a letter from the deputy police commissioner on Bougainville Francis Tokura who made some allegations against Police Minister Bryan Kramer.
“I have not been able to (see) evidence of the police minister tampering with police operational matters,” Marape said.
“Police operation matters remain the function of the police commissioner.
“The police minister has a clear demarcation in his role and responsibility.
“He belongs to the area of policy and offering advices and ensuring that that demarcation is clearly maintained as he performs his role.
“There are two clear distinct roles.”
Meanwhile Police Minister Bryan Kramer says the law applies to everyone including members of parliament when a warrant of arrest is issued.
He said O’Neill, facing allegations of official corruption, had to make himself available to the police for the normal process of investigation to take place.
“Police Acting Commissioner David Manning would grant him bail to defend himself in court later,” Kramer said.
He also said everyone “is innocent until proven guilty by a court”.

4 comments

  • Knowing that no one is above God, our constitution laws for Papua New Guinea were frame to customs and God.
    Why our youths in the country been heavily damages to small K1.00 pack and container yawa by policeman and served time in they wrong. It’s is fear or not fear in those minister.
    Respect our constitution and our rights as the Black Christian country.

  • Well Done, Honorable Mr. Kramer. PNG is behind you!! PMJM, Stay behind Police Minister until every corruption has beenm uprooted and surfaced to the public.

  • Those funds O’Neall gave to Madang ( Yagaum) hospital through the support of NGCB was purposely for new scanner machine and cancer machine and now it is helping people of Madang, you did nothing for your electorate since you won the open seat,

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