Sweep team members can make arrests

 MEMBERS of the government-sanctioned Task Force Sweep team have the powers to effect arrests, press charges and issue warrants of arrest on individuals suspected of corruption, a senior police officer says.

Assistant Commissioner of Police operations Simon Kauba said the sweep team was part of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary fraud squad unit and was empowered by legislations passed in Parliament.

“Task force sweep team members have the powers to arrest and charge people alleged of being involved in corrupt activities. 

“They can issue warrants of arrest,” he told a media conference at police headquarters last week.

Kauba was responding to public concerns over the roles and responsibilities of the Task Force Sweep team and why many reported cases had not been concluded quickly.

“At present, there are corruption cases being investigated and charges pending in court for further appeals and trials with certain people,” he said. 

“These cases are the efforts made by the Task Force Sweep team since the time they were set up by the state to investigate allegations of officers and individuals involved in corrupt activities.

“There is great progress of the investigations done by the team and more arrests will be made soon.”