Retired chief fire officer gets recognition

 By GABRIEL FITO 

A RETIRED chief fire officer and community policing officer from Haniak village, East Sepik, has notched his third medal in this year’s Queen’s Awards in recognition for his services to the people of East Sepik.

Chief Sgt Joe Bruno, who spent 27 years with the National Disaster and Emergency Services, was first honoured in 2008 with a Meritorious Service medal.

He was again recognised with a public service medal for his long service and good conduct in 1991 and retired in 1999 to the village where he joined the reserve police after realising the need to curb escalating lawlessness in his local level government area.

“I am really grateful to East Sepik provincial government for nominating me for this third medal. I was awarded a Meritorious Community Service (MCS) medal by Sir Michael Ogio last week,” Bruno told The National on his return from Port Moresby last weekend.

The former public servant also holds two other medals, an Independence medal (1975) and 1985 PNG’s 10th anniversary medal which adds to five his total number of medals and elevates him to a senior statesman among the people of 

Yangoru-Saussia.

“I appreciate the acknowledgement by both the Queen of England and the PNG government but concerns for law and order still remain.

“With the dismantling of the community policing officers law and order problem along the highways, our villages and town is escalating.”