Police preparing for prison’s new Covid-19 measures

POLICE are making preparations to cope with the announcement that Buimo Prison will not be accepting any detainees or remandees, Lae metropolitan police commander Chief Supt Chris Kunyanban says.
“Despite the serious impact on police work and services, we are putting in place mitigating measures,” he said.
Last week, Buimo Prison commander Supt Michael Wundia announced that his facility would stop taking in detainees and remandees.
“We respect their approach as it is in line with what the Government wants,” he said.
“It will cause a strain on our work and responsibilities but we will do our best to manage and deliver.
“One way of addressing this issue now is to push back some cases or matters that can be handled within the community.
“Police will concentrate on cases such as rape, murder, causing grievous bodily harm and others.
“Cases such as minor assault, theft and domestic violence can be handled at the community level.”
Supt Wundia said overcrowding police lockups may happen and that may also lead to other problems such as health conditions and contagious diseases.
Chief Supt Kunyanban said there were other measures that police would apply to address the situation but “we will not make it public for security reasons”.
Meanwhile, police conducted a raid at 5-Mile outside Lae on Wednesday and seized matured marijuana plants, and a suspect was arrested.
Chief Supt Kunyanban said police were also helping to ensure awareness on the coronavirus (Covid-19) and urged the public to play their role in helping to prevent a spike in infections.
“Communities must take the responsibility to help check the spread of the virus by adhering to the new normal,” he said.