Police told not to take ‘escort fees’

POLICEMEN escorting business people to deliver large sums of money for banking are for free in Eastern Highlands, provincial police commander Superintendent David Seine Jr says.
“There is no such a thing as ‘escort fees involved, escorting large amounts of money is one of the police duties, we swore on oath to protect lives and properties. I repeat escort is free,” he said.
Seine confirmed an armed robbery in Goroka on Monday.
He said an armed gang held up employees of 123 Limited’s supermarket and made off with a substantial amount of money between 8am and 9am.
He said a police investigation team were engaged and they were investigating so he could not disclose other information like the amount of money taken and possible suspects.
“I strongly appeal to business houses, non-governmental organisations, government departments and even individuals moving large amounts of cash back and forth from banks to seek police escort which is a free service.” He said all they needed to do was give him a call for approval and a police unit could be immediately engaged to provide the service at no cost.
“Police are here to protect lives and properties, organisations, businesses and individuals.
Seine said if officers asked for a favour or cash it should be reported to him immediately.
Meanwhile, a woman carrying more than K10,000 to bank was held up at the Banab bamboo bridge crossing, was injured and robbed on Tuesday. A police officer at the Talidig police post confirmed the report and said because of the incident, PMVs from North Coast road and Bogia gathered at Kubugam and did not go to Banab.
The officer said the bypass access road was closed last week and vehicles could not go around the collapsed Banab Bridge.
Truckloads of villagers from Kubugam and parts of North Coast and Bogia mobilised and planned an attack on villages in the Banab area while police were alert and on standby to monitor the situation.
The Banab bamboo bridge crossing was described as an unsafe area for women and girls where drunkards took advantage of them.
Works branch manager Andrew Kendaura said the reconstruction of the bridge started last week.
Director of the PNG JV construction company John Bankok said they were mindful of the law and order problems going on with the travelling PMVs and passengers. He said they would try their best to complete the job soon.