Programme helps police find out issues affecting people

POLICE in Lae have the opportunity to know what is going on in the communities through an “engagement” programme.
The Lae police-community engagement programme encourages people to tell police officers how to perform their roles and responsibilities enforcing the law.
It has started at Bumbu and will cover other settlements in the city.
It encourages an open discussion approach between the police and the people on how they can work together in building trust and respect in communities.
The programme is in addition to the police sector response unit which Metropolitan Superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jr started with MP John Rosso.
Rosso said some settlements had spiritual and social programmes which police should be aware of.
Some of the complaints against the police raised included swearing in public, destroying markets, demanding fuel money, assaulting females detained in cells.
“Some concerns were genuine and must be reported to allow internal investigations. However, in some instances, the law allows police to use a reasonable amount of force to capture suspects who do not cooperate,” Wagambie said.
Rosso said that “we must change our attitudes and take possession of our own destiny because no one else will come and do it for us”.
“I will improve facilities in suburb markets, look at ways to ensure technical training for youths and notify the Lae Chamber of Commerce to ensure companies in suburbs employ youths within those areas,” he said.