Tondop’s warning to officers timely

I WOULD like to applaud NCD metropolitan chief Supt Joseph Tondop for warning traffic officers to stay away from corrupt practices including setting up unnecessary road blocks with the intention “to steal” from unsuspecting drivers, especially the Asian community, in the city.
I was a victim a couple of months ago when two officers book­ed me next to my Gordon’s residence and instructed me to drive to the traffic office at 4-mile.
When I made my way into the station, the offside police officer with his M16 hanging by his side ap­proached me, and whispered to my ears: “Tok pisin gut long opisa yaa na bai em lusim u go.”
I did not respond and walked straight to the small cubicle where the arresting officer was waiting.
Before I could sit down, the officer ask me if I had some money to pay for the traffic offence and when I said no and only had K10, he got up and asked if I have a mobile phone so that I could call my relatives to bring in some money.
Since I ran out of unit, I gave “please call me request” to three of my relatives and waited.
I wonder where my money would be kept if I paid the fine as there was no safe or receipt books.
We waited for three hours and seeing that they (traffic officers) would not get anything from me, they officially charged me on three counts and brought me to the Boroko police cell.
However, a relative of mine was waiting at the police cell and when he showed K300 cash to bail me out, the traffic officers quickly dashed to their car leaving me with the cell minder.
I was bailed and would appear again in court this week after three adjournment.
I support Tondop’s call and urged him to get rid of those rotten apples as they are the ones who tarnished the good name of the police force.

Peter Amos
Port Moresby