New Bulolo police reservists told to treat complaints fairly

By PISAI GUMAR
NEWLY-trained police reservists in Bulolo district, Morobe, have been told not to torture suspects while enforcing law and order in their respective council areas.
Morobe provincial police commander David Warap told the 70 reservists – two of whom were females – not to accept bribes and to be fair to all complainants.
He said all their decisions must be based on the law and they should conduct themselves with honesty.
“Never make decisions based on personal interest or when under pressure.
“Two common problems among police officers are misuse of official vehicles and their attitude towards the people while in uniforms,” Warap said.
The 2002 population census showed that Bulolo had 77, 000 people and fewer than 30 police officers.
Since then, the impact of mining activities in Hidden Valley and Wafi has seen an increase in the population and an escalation of law and order issues.
The impact has allowed the joint district budget planning and priorities committee to invest K2 million in training 70 reservists.
There will be 10 reservists in each local level government supporting the mobile squad 15 and regular officers in the district.
Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah officially witnessed the passing out ceremony last Friday at the Bulolo rugby league field.
Namah was accompanied by the National Planning Minister and local MP Sam Basil, Lake Kopiago MP John Kekeno and Tewai-Siassi MP Vincent Michaels.
“Without addressing law and order issues in the country, the economic progress will fail and the country will collapse,” Namah said.
“Police and defence force manpower need to be increased to about 70,000 personnel.”
He said with the increased economic activities, more people were flooding into the area, escalating law and order issues.
“The government of the day focuses to implement all socio-economic activities in a balanced and fairer manner to achieve the best for the country,” Namah said.
He said it was proper for respective districts to take ownership and initiate such programmes to take care of the law and order in their own areas to allow smooth progress of development activities.