State to probe death of suspect

THE cause of death of the suspected cop killer who died in police custody will be investigated, Acting Comm David Manning said.
Lape Mole, 40, from Tari’s Karai Village in Hela, Mt Hagen was found dead in a Mt Hagen police lock-up on Nov 11.
Mole was arrested for questioning in connection with the killing of Sgt David Hale and wounding Constable James Kopil in Tari last month.
Manning said Mole’s death was now a subject to a coroner’s inquest and that “we will take appropriate action when the inquest is concluded”.
“It is rather unfortunate that the suspect died in police custody, allegedly because of police beatings. Anyone arrested by police are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
“The police cannot take on the role of the courts and hand out punishment at the same time.
“This is totally wrong and goes against the fundamental roles and responsibilities of policemen and officers. We have sworn an oath to protect lives and property and if necessary to put our lives on the line for our people. Policemen and officers must always remember that,” he added.
On Nov 19, The National front-paged an exclusive report quoted Western ACP Eng Kaiglo Ambane that a coroner’s inquest would be conducted to determine the cause of death of the man who allegedly shot dead a police mobile squad commander (Sgt Hale) and wounded another policeman in Hela.
ACP Ambane said: “We do not know the cause of death. It’s now a matter for the coronet to find out the cause of death of Mole who was found dead in a police cell at 11.30pm.”