Police to enforce Pikinini Act

POLICE will act more effectively to enforce the Pikinini Act and learn and understand the processes and procedures when dealing with children involved in crime, the community police chief says.
Director of Community Policing Chief Insp Benjamin Tovili said it was important that every policeman dealing with crime should not only know how to deal with adults but children as well.
Tovili said there were two Acts, Lukautim Pikinini Act and Juvenile Justice Act.
“The Pikinini Act has been passed in parliament a long time ago but was not effective, no one knows how the policy works and how they can use it,” Tovili said.
“Royal PNG Constabulary will enforce the Act effectively and every officer must learn and understand the process and procedures on the ground. It’s the protocol that will guide us and teach us how to treat them as well.
“If a crime is committed and someone under 18 is involved, then policemen should deal accordingly.”
Tovili said police would enforce the Act effectively.
“There is a need that many children who are victims and the accused are not handled properly according to the nature of the crime.
“A policeman must know that children must be kept in separate cells as well.”