Police gear up for special festive duties

POLICE around Papua New Guinea are gearing up for their special Christmas and New Year operations.
And alcohol abusers, homebrew producers, drug addicts and smugglers and unruly mobs are among targets high on their list of things to do.
In Western, provincial police commander, Snr Insp Silva Sika said 80 officers would be deployed in groups of 15 to hotspots in North, Middle and South Fly to deal with people who wanted to cause trouble during the festive period.
Sika said the Mobile Squad 19 from Port Moresby, which was providing security at the Ok Tedi Mining Ltd in Tabubil, would help in security efforts.
In Milne Bay, provincial police commander Snr Insp Lincoln Gerari said he had drawn up his Christmas operations plan and was awaiting funds from police headquarters in Port Moresby to execute it.
He said homebrew producers and drug dealers would be targeted in the operations.
In New Ireland, provincial police commander Chief Insp Nelson Chanei said he had 100 officers on the ground ready to be deployed throughout the island.
He said the duration of their operations would depend on the availability of funding.
He said they needed fuel for their boats and vehicles to patrol the island.
In the highlands, divisional commander Teddy Tei said roadblocks, patrols and searches would be conducted on motorists travelling the Highlands Highway.
He said people suspected of carrying weapons, drugs and alcohol would be subjected to spot checks.
In Port Moresby, National Capital District operations chief Andy Bawa said his men would launch the Christmas and New Year operations on Friday.
He said a parade would be held at the Boroko Police Station car park for members of the public to witness the launching.