Only station commanders can approve roadblocks: N’Dranou

By JACKLYN SIRIAS
POLICE station commanders are the only officers authorised to allow roadblocks in the city, says National Capital District Metropolitan Superintendent Perou N’Dranou.
He was commenting on the arrest of seven police officers over the Easter weekend at Gerehu in Port Moresby who had set up a road block without the approval of the station commander.
“They were in breach of the directive I sent out towards the end of last year to stop unnecessary roadblocks by police officers,” N’Dranou said.
He said the directive was issued following complaints by the people that police officers were demanding money from drivers and not issuing official receipts for the amounts paid.
He said the directive clearly stated that no other police officer apart from the police station commander can authorise roadblocks.
N’Dranou said the internal investigation unit was now working on the charges for the seven police officers.
He said they have also removed uniforms from six reservists who were assisting the seven police officers.
He said reservists were only deployed during major operations authorised by the commissioner.
N’Dranou said the directive would not affect Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited officers who set up their own roadblocks to check vehicles.
He however, he said they should communicate with the police on it.
He advised motorists to always ask for a receipt if they were stopped and fined by police officers at a roadblock.