Police need vehicles to maintain law, order: PPC

 NEW Ireland provincial police commander Phillip Welia says they need vehicles at the five police stations in the province.

He is calling on the police minister and the provincial department to buy vehicles for the officers at the five stations. Welia told The National that 10 police vehicles had to be sold two weeks ago because of their condition.

“Most of the vehicles that we have been using are more than 10 years old, which is not good for the safety of the officers,” he said. He said only eight vehicles were being shared by the five police stations.

“I am really feeling the pinch of it. Police mobility is nil when there is no vehicle and the number of incidents are increasing mainly drug-related. We need resources to do our work,” he said.

He said one officer died last year in a road accident involving a police vehicle.

Welia said seven boats were being tendered out and they were using two – in Namatanai and Kavieng. “I have written letters to the people in authority requesting for replacements and still waiting for that to be done.”

He said he was hopeful that he will receive a respond.