Mendi probe focusing on properties destroyed

POLICE officers involved in the special operations in Mendi are focusing on the incident on June 14 when properties were destroyed.
Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Crimes and Investigative Task Force commander Hodges Ette said during a parade in Mendi that they would also investigate police officers who had stepped out of line.
“I know there are some issues within but channel them through the normal channels to be dealt with,” he said.
He told the parade that the special operations would not deal with the officers but rather with what happened on June 14.
Ette told the parade that many public servants had not returned to work since the burning of the aircraft at Mendi airport and the disruption to government services.
“We must restore peace and pride back in Mendi. Normal life of business and other functions must continue at ease. We have seen those changes taking place and our presence will ensure those things happen,” he said.
He said providing police services to the public should be upheld by officers.
“Petty crimes are offences as well and there are remedies to deal with them including doing community work.” He said the destruction of courthouses did not mean there was no judicial service in Mendi.
“We are trying to arrange how best we can bring offenders to court and subsequently transfer the remandees and/or convicted prisoners to detention centres,” he said.
Ette urged them to liaise with the nearest court to have serious crimes heard.