MP: Mobile squad to stay until local unit set up

 YANGORU-Saussia MP Richard Maru has clarified that a police mobile squad deployed to the district from Port Moresby will remain there until a local unit is formed.

The police mobile squad from  McGregor Barracks in Port Moresby was deployed to the district to help local police maintain law and order.

He was responding to a complaint by a community leader in the East Yangoru local level government that members of the mobile squad and local police were too abusive and harsh on offenders.

The leader, who asked not to be identified for safety reasons, said the general conduct and behaviour of police in the district was not as rosy as painted by acting Yangoru rural police station commander, David Jimari.

Jimari  said on Monday that members of the mobile squad in the district were doing a fine job in upholding law and order.

But the leader said: “I am not happy with these policemen. 

“They have been so abusive. 

“There is more police brutality now than we have experienced before.

“They are saying that the district is now quiet but how long are we going to keep the mobile squad members in the district?

He called on the district administration and police to send the mobile squad members back home.

Maru said the joint district planning and budget priorities committee would continue funding their operation until the district formed its own mobile squad when the new police barracks Yangoru was completed.

The Government allocated K15 million this year budget for the barracks to accommodate a police mobile squad for East and West Sepik.