Police brutality

I WRITE to comment on the ongoing police brutality and unlawful conduct within the police force.
Police personnel’s were specially trained to protect this nation.
Their fundamental principle is to uphold the law and serve this country with pride and dignity.
People’s welfare, their safety, public peace and harmony should be their main focus when carrying out their assigned duties.
Unlike the past, present scenario, badly hurt by police officers tend to be criminals, disrespecting the state and willfully damaging the image of Papua New Guinea Royal Constabulary (PNGRC).
A photo showing some officers from South Fly in Western with cans of beer published on the front page of The National last Wednesday (March 27) speaks precisely to this nation that we have morality breakdown, abuse of code of conduct and slackness within our police force.
Those officers on duty knew it was wrong to take alcohol while in full police uniform, but they willfully went ahead and violated and ended up diminishing the reputation of the force.
It is understandable that Police Minister Jelta Wong and Commissioner Gary Baki cannot control the behaviour and attitude of their officers, but as leaders, what will you do to contain and minimise this sickening attitude your officers is showing to this nation?
This is becoming a normal practice and it’s scary.
This misconduct by your officers directly questions and undermines your leadership and management capability.
The police force no longer has command and control. Disciplinary measures are too lenient.
Take this as an example. People working in the private sector caught drunk, chewing betel nut or smoking while in company uniform within company premises usually get a warning letter or are sacked on the spot.
Even after hours, discipline is still maintained. Tight disciplinary measures applied by company management ensures the company image is protected at all times.
Why can’t the police hierarchy apply same disciplinary measures in the force?
Their employer, the State, has limitless policing boundaries.
Everywhere they go while on duty, they are still within their employer’s (the State) premises. They must not do any silly thing while on policing duty.
If caught, they must be terminated on the spot.
The only time for them to enjoy themselves should be during off-duty hours.
Police commissioner under his capacity as the head of the force should come down hard on this malpractice.
If he can’t handle this, he needs to step down.

Fed up
LAE