More complaints of police brutality

 THE Ombudsman Commission office in East New Britain has received an increasing number of complaints from the public on police brutality and human rights.

New Guinea Islands acting regional manager Anthony Champanien said the increase in the number of complaints began last year.

He said it had become a concern for the commission and they would be talking to police in the province about it.

Champanien said the people of East New Britain were generally law-abiding but some cases reported involved homebrew, marijuana, marital problems and incest.

He said a memorandum of agreement was in existence between the Ombudsman Commission and police to 

address cases of police 

brutality and human rights abuse.

He said in 2004, a review was done by police where 62 recommendations were made. One of them was for the commission to be part of the police investigation process.

He urged people not to harbour criminals.

East New Britain police commander Supt Anthony Wagambie Jnr said they dealt with human beings and there were bound to be complaints made against them.

“Every citizen has the right to lay a complaint against police if they feel that they have been unfairly treated,” he said. 

“Policing is a very difficult task anywhere in the world and we are not immune to such complaints.

 “These are allegations and will only be said to be true or carry merit after it is thoroughly investigated. 

“This will ensure that the allegations leveled against police are true or not.”