Police to receive bullet-proof vest, helmets for protection, says minister

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
POLICE will be issued bullet-proof vests and helmets to protect them when confronting armed criminals, says Police Minister Bryan Kramer.
The latest incident was in Abau, Central on Sunday where two police officers were shot during an armed robbery along the Magi Highway.
Police Commissioner David Manning visited one of them at the Port Moresby General Hospital on Tuesday, and also met the officer’s parents.
Talks are ongoing with the Australian Federal Police to provide the constabulary with body cameras, dash cameras, helmets and bulletproof vest.
“We will be re-looking at the rules of engagement, lessons learnt from incidents of police shootings and developing best practice to avoid putting our officers’ lives and the public in harm’s way while pursuing armed criminals,” Kramer said.
Some protective equipment had already been ordered following the shooting of a police officer in Porgera in January.
Kramer said all police officers must be properly trained and equipped to effectively deal with criminals.
“Body cameras have been ordered and training will commence in November on how to use the cameras,” he said.
Kramer said the precautionary measures taken would see a big improvement in the way police respond to shootouts with criminals.
“There are no plans to have officers in the city and towns fitted out as if they are going to war,” he said.
“The recent incident involved an officer being shot was while in pursuit of criminals.
“Following reform and great professional and discipline conduct by our officers under the station of excellence, we are looking at introducing bullet-proof vests for police officers patrolling high-risk areas.”