Staff shortage forces reinstatement of suspended officers

THE shortage of police manpower in Northern has led to the reinstatement of officers suspended and awaiting their court cases for various offences, an officer says.
Acting provincial police commander Silas Tojune told The National that nine police officers and former provincial police commander Lincoln Gerari had to be reinstated to assist police operations.
“The nine officers have resumed duties due to the manpower shortage that we were facing,” he said.
“Looking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Summit, we have good number of police personnel tasked to assist with the operations in Port Moresby. We have therefore reinstated these officers to take up duties while they await their court cases.
“Gerari is still at home and had not resumed duties. I briefed them on Wednesday and asked them to start working on their outstanding cases.”
Tojune and Senior Constable Modula Deboya were also reinstated after being suspended for 21 day and charged with drink-driving and causing an accident.
The vehicle involved in the accident was donated by Ijivitari MP Richard Masere and was driven by an unlicensed officer.
Tojune said the case was before the district court and would come up for mention this month.