Officer praises personnel for effort in by-election

A SENIOR police commander has praised his personnel for their effort during the Goroka Open by-election.
Supt Michael Welly thanked the people of Goroka for doing their part in ensuring the court-ordered by-election was carried out in a fair and safe manner.
Supt Welly, who was seconded from his Northern police command, thanked assisting response units from Oro and Eastern Highlands police for keeping peace and maintaining order during the polling and counting period.
“I thank each and every member of the Constabulary in the command for a peaceful by-election,” he said this during a debriefing at Goroka Police Station on Tuesday.
“Though we were a little late with the planning aspect of the operations, every effort was displayed by those who assisted in both polling and counting.”
Supt Welly acknowledged police personnel from Madang and Morobe for their support as well.
He thanked Police Minister Bryan Kramer as well as Police Commissioner David Manning, divisional commander Peter Guinness and Asst Comm of police operations Sam Kua for their support.
Highlands eastern end legal officer Supt John Sagom thanked every member who took part in the election process for their professional conduct.
Supt Welly said Eastern Highlands police had benefited from the experience and they would be able to handle the security demands of National Elections in 2022.