Policeman guilty of holding unlicenced firearm, bullets

 A policeman has been found guilty in Madang of possessing an unlicenced firearm and seven live bullets.

NCD-Central Assistant Police Commissioner Sylvester Kalaut said the policeman, Komen Gubag appeared on January 29 before the Ramu district court and was found guilty under Section 27 1(a) of the Firearms Act.

He faces dismissal from the force.

Kalaut said Gubag pleaded guilty to the charges after he was arrested by Madang-based police internal affairs investigators.

He said a complaint was lodged with the constabulary’s Internal Affairs Directorate after Gubag used the firearm to threaten his fiancé in Ramu. 

 “This incident should serve as a deterrent to all members of the constabulary especially at this time when allegations of police abuses are rife in the media,” Kalaut said.

He said police Commissioner Gari Baki had declared 2016 as the year of discipline and urged members to shape up or face being kicked out of the police force.