Police chief warns officers not to misuse police vehicles

SOUTHERN Highlands commander Chief Supt Martin Lakari has reminded police to not misuse police vehicles.“Police vehicles are for official police work use only,” he said.“The vehicles are to be used for executing daily duties, not for private use.”Chief Supt Lakari spoke at the presentation of two new vehicles donated by Imbonggu MP and Inter-Government Relations Minister Pila Niningi. He said one of the vehicles would be used by Imbonggu police and the other for Highway Patrol 17.Lakari said police in the province had been doing a tremendous job in refusing bribery and making arrests last month.“This is a step in the right direction which must be continued,” he said.He said now that Niningi had delivered the two vehicles, policemen must use the vehicles to help them improve their performance.He said the vehicles should not leave the province unnecessarily “but seek approval from me when needed to travel outside the province on official duty”.Lakari said the vehicles should not be used to transport bodies from Mt Hagen to Southern Highlands or to other centres.“This breach in regulations will not be tolerated anymore,” he added. He said any policeman who disobeys instructions would be dealt with, including his or her immediate transfer.Lakari said during such trying economic times, worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic, receiving such new vehicles was difficult but Niningi had the heart to support police.“Law and order is the key area and we need such logistics to support our work,” he said. “We must, therefore, appreciate such help.”Lakari said maintaining law and order was a difficult and dangerous task.“I thank Niningi for the support towards police in Imbonggu and my men and women would do their best to carry out their responsibility effectively,” he said, urging the public to report to him if any policemen were seen drinking or misusing the vehicles.