Union opposes move to disarm Madang police

POLICE in Madang have been disarmed in a move to control the abuse of police issue guns with the ban to be eased later to allow only some officers to carry them.
However, the police union said the move was endangering the lives of policemen and women.
Madang police commander Chief Inspector Ben Neneo said he made the decision to take away the guns from officers because there were so many police shootings in the province recently that raised concerns among members of the public.
He said his officers allegedly killed and injured so many that he had to take measures to control the situation.
“I removed the guns from them and will reissue to certain officers later,” Neneo said.
On Sunday a few policemen’s sons were alleged to have used their fathers’ guns in a shootout at a family home before burning the family’s house.
Neneo said three sons of policemen were allegedly involved so he instructed those officers to hand in their sons.
He said he would also launch an investigation into alleged use of police guns.
Police Union general-secretary Clement Kanau said it was a risky to disarm officers. “Firearm is an issue for every policeman and policewoman and immediate decisions like that will endanger the
lives of every serving police personnel who are based in Madang,” he said
Kanau said if the decision was in relation to the abuse of process in the handling of firearms, there were senior officers who were able to supervise the juniors.