Police and the law

Letters

THE Papua New Guinea Constitution is founded upon God’s word contained in the Holy Bible.
Like the Israelites of the Old Testament, Jesus commands us to love God first and then others as ourselves.
We love God by keeping his 10 commandments. We love others by allowing ourselves to be governed by our laws and Constitution.
Our police officers are the people tasked with enforcing the law and preventing crime.
When a rogue officer breaches the law and involves himself in criminal activities, he or she tarnishes the name of the force.
As human beings, we are obviously not perfect and are prone to making mistakes. However, that should not be an excuse for bad behaviour because police officers have been trained to behave appropriately and obediently under any circumstances, particularly to not lose control and brutalise people. Assault can either be physical or verbal.
Assault or abuse can also be in the form of detaining accused people for a long time without presenting them in court to defend the charges against them, or stopping their relatives and friends from visiting to take them essentials like food, water and toiletries.
Accused people on detention are usually held in unhealthy and overcrowded conditions in cells that are filthy with inadequate ventilation and without good water. The risk of contagious diseases like diarrhoea, malaria, flu, scabies, allergy, etc, are high.
It’s not a pretty sight and should not be regarded lightly. By anyone.
A police officer is duty-bound to keep his or her oath both on and off duty, which requires him or her to treat others, including prisoners, without fear or favour, malice or ill will.
A police officer who abuses his or her position should either resign or be sacked for no one is above the law.
Please police officers should take pride and joy in their work.

White Falls