Officers suspended for alleged brutality

THREE Mendi police officers have been suspended for assaulting and whipping women found gambling in Southern Highlands.
Police Internal Affairs director Chief Superintendent Robert Ali said the incident was recorded and posted on social media. It went viral on Facebook.
“They have been charged each with causing grievous bodily harm and are out on bail awaiting court appearances,” Ali said.
“They have also been suspended for 21 days.
“This incident occurred last year, but we did not have funds to travel to Mendi to investigate the incident. We just went there last week after funds were made available.”
Ali said they were also investigating other incidents of police brutality posted on social media.
Meanwhile, Milne Bay police commander Chief Superintendent Joseph Morehari said a policeman attached to the Alotau police station has been charged with raping a minor.
“The girl came to Alotau with a relative from Normandy Island and met the policeman.
“The policeman took her away and allegedly raped her at his residence,” Morehari said.
In another incident, police are preparing to be deployed to Waguhuhu village in the Rabaraba district near the Northern border to look for suspects involved in stealing four solar batteries from a Digicel tower.
“The batteries were stolen last month,” Morehari said.