No political interference will distract me, says Manning

POLICE commissioner, David Manning says he will not be distracted by “political interference from self-interested individuals working to sabotage” the police force.
He was responding to an application filed in court by a police detective for a warrant of arrest on a complaint lodged against him.
The application was rejected by the Committal Court in Waigani on March 15.
Manning described the case as misleading and improper, saying the policeman who filed the application for the arrest warrant was a “disgruntled” member of the constabulary.
“I am aware that a disgruntled policeman with a long history of disciplinary offences for misconduct, and was demoted from senior sergeant to first constable in 2016, had attempted to file a misleading application for a warrant of arrest,” Manning said in a statement.
He also questioned the timing of the application in court, lodged during the Enga ceasefire negotiations.
“Any abuse of power by a police officer will be dealt with through an independent investigation by the Internal Affairs Directorate,” Manning added.
“As these matters are exposed and corrected, the people are able to see through smokescreens and attempts to undermine the administration and operations of the constabulary.”
Magistrate Billy Pidu refused the application for a warrant against Manning and asked detective Tinol Pakiapon to re-apply after satisfying the verifying affidavit requirement.
Pakiapon had applied for the warrant over an allegation against Manning in West New Britain’s Talasea on June 9, 2000.