Senior cop faces drink-driving charge

By JUNIOR UKAHA
A SENIOR police officer in the National Capital District command has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and causing an accident while using an official vehicle.
Superintendent Andy Bawa said Insp Parfrey Peni, the Gerehu police station commander, was “driving under the influence of alcohol and was in the company of a female accomplice” when he crashed the vehicle near Boreboa Primary School, on Pitpit Street, on Nov 22.
Bawa said the pair escaped unhurt but the vehicle was badly damaged and was later retrieved by police.
“The officer concerned was charged with reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and failing to report a police accident,” Bawa said.
He said the officer had been suspended and his case was with the courts.
Bawa said he was disappointed about the accident as the vehicle, a Mitsubishi Sportero L200, had been donated to the Gerehu police by a private citizen to help them fight crime.
“This is not a good example. I urge all police station commanders and policemen and women not to misuse and abuse state vehicles,” he said.
“Police vehicles are scarce, therefore, whatever we have must be used for their intended purpose.”
Bawa appealed to people to respect police officers carrying out duties in the community.
He made the appeal after a constable based at the Hohola Police Station was attacked by drunkards outside Lamana Hotel on Oct 4.
He said the officer was among three policemen who went to the area to investigate complaints about drunkards causing a nuisance and public disorder when they were attacked.
Bawa said the officer suffered serious injuries to his head and was recovering at the Port Moresby General Hospital.
He said this was the second attack on a police officer this year.
Bawa said the first attack occurred at the Manu autoport market where a mobile squad member was critically injured after members of the public turned on him while he was there to attend a complaint.
“We (police) are not your enemies. We are here to help you.”
Asked if the beating of the two officers were a result of growing public discontent about the behaviour of police officers towards the public, Bawa said “it may be the case”.