Probe into Paita’s gun-handling yet to start

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
INVESTIGATIONS into the handling of a police-issued gun by Finschhafen MP Rainbo Paita has yet to start.
Heading the investigations is Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, Anton Billie who told The National that the investigation would look into: “How the firearm was in the possession of Paita, whether the firearm was fired at a proper shooting range and whether the firearm was handled properly.
“We are also waiting for the statements to be forwarded to my office.
“Taking into consideration the laws that govern the handling of firearms under the Firearms Act, we will be looking at that as well.
“The investigations will take about two weeks and the recommendations will be given on the appropriate actions to be taken, whether there was criminality actions detected or mishandling of the firearm.
“The recommendations will be presented to the office of the police commissioner.” The investigations undertaken by police occurred after Opposition Leader Belden Namah laid a complaint against Paita for the handling and firing a police-issued firearm.
Police Commissioner David Manning, in response, announced directions to investigate the incident.
He said Billie would be assisted by a senior detective from the National Capital District command and a senior officer from the Police Internal Affairs Directorate.