Police ‘negligence’ to blame for missing guns

NATIONAL Capital District police commander Chief Supt Fred Yakasa has blamed police officers for their negligence in cases where firearms go missing.
He called on all sectional heads to ensure that their officers were reminded to be mindful when attending to reported cases, especially when in possession of the firearms.
“A lot of firearms are out there that might turn on us,” Chief Supt Yakasa said.
He said he was not sure who had the missing guns but if they were in the hands of criminals, they could be used against police.
Chief Supt Yakasa also revealed that some of the sections were missing weapons as a result of negligence.
He added that many of the officers lacked the ability to look after their firearms, adding they handled them as if they were “handling firewood”, which could be very dangerous.
He told police station commanders and various sectional heads during the Christmas and New Year operation briefing yesterday to teach their officers how to handle and carry firearms.
He called for police to “stop, talk and walk” during this year’s operation.
Officers were advised to apply this method to help minimise the rate of petty crimes faced in the capital city.
“Stop, search, search and search,” he said.
He said this was one very simple but effective method that would help them curb the high rate of petty crimes committed in the city.
According to Chief Supt Yakasa, because officers failed to search suspects involved in petty crime, such incidents were on the rise.
Chief Supt Yakasa, who is also a member of the Liquor Licencing Board, said the committee should be able to make a decision for a liquor ban later in the month, but he would leave the matter to NCDC with an announcement expected to be made next week.