Police officers, soldiers told to set example of social distancing

POLICE officers and soldiers have been told to set an example of social distancing when on duty, including when travelling in official vehicles during patrols.
Assistant Police Commissioner Anthony Wagambie Jnr, the divisional police commander for the National Capital District and Central, sounded the warning during a parade at the Boroko police station on Saturday. “You must practise social distancing, which means that in a 10-seater vehicle, you will not carry 10 or eight but cut it down to five or four if there’s a need,” Wagambie said.
He also warned them not to sell goods and items they confiscate from people.
“That is unethical. (There have been) too many complaints (about this practice),” he said.
He said some officers had been suspended for such behaviour.
“Have pride in the uniform that you wear. This uniform has a legacy,” he said.
“We are all needed on the front line. This is not an election. This is not a census operation.
“This is a new period we are going through.
“We have not experienced this before. It is up to us every individual to do as much as we can.
“The country is depending on us. Do our jobs diligently, and professionally. We have some PPE (personal protective equipment) which we have acquired (and) they will be issued.”
Commander of the Joint Agency Task Force and Deputy Police Commissioner Donald Yamasombi said the daily 9pm to 6am curfew would end on April 30.
Essential service personnel and vehicles have been issued orange or red passes to travel during the curfew.
Others are given letters of approval signed by the controller of the state of emergency David Manning.