Police shake-up

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
GOVERNOR-General Sir Bob Dadae has revoked the appointment of Gari Baki as acting police commissioner and appointed Francis Tokura to the position for three months, according to a national gazette.
In another development yesterday, the appointment of Peter Guinness as acting Deputy Commissioner (Operations) which was gazetted last Friday has also been revoked.
He will be replaced by assistant commissioner (operation) David Manning for a period of three months.
Sir Bob also confirmed in the gazette the appointment of acting deputy police commissioner (administration) Joanne Clarkson.
Tokura is expected to hold his first press conference today as acting police commissioner and secretary for the police department.
Police Minister Bryan Kramer told The National yesterday that the National Executive Council had revoked the appointment of Guinness, currently the northern region police commander, because he had reached the retirement age of 60.
Kramer said Manning, 43, would become the acting deputy commissioner (operations) for the next three months.
“The NEC revoked Guinness’ acting appointment for being ineligible after having reaching the retirement age of 60,” he said.
Kramer confirmed Tokura, Clarkson and Manning would be at the press conference today at the police headquarters in Konedobu.
Kramer said he had not received any word about a meeting between Tokura and Baki, which was supposed to have happened this week.