Upset with conduct of police officers

I AM upset to see police officers holding up bus crews and taxi drivers on the road and demanding they pay fines.
These fines are Government revenue and should be properly charged and settled at a police station.
Yesterday, I saw a route 11 bus crew beaten up at Tokarara bus stop and was pocket-checked by police officers.
They took all the bus’ takings and left him helpless.
As a regular passenger travelling on route 11 bus from Waigani Market to Downtown, I witness frequent checkpoints along the Koura Freeway through Tokara and Hanuabada.
It may not be an official route for route 11 bus, but it is convenient for passengers.
It helps ease the traffic jams.
And it saves time for workers.
This route has proven to be effective.
I believe police should not have unauthorised checkpoints along the new freeway or even chase after PMV’s taking this route.
Some of these checkpoints appear to be illegal.
On one instance, there were two checkpoints on the same freeway.
It’s shameful that the two units weren’t aware of each other’s presence.
This happens to be our elite unit, the Fox units, performing the role of traffic police and Motor Vehicle Insurance Ltd. They were collecting money from motorists.
The Fox units are regulars there.
The Waigani and Downtown police also chase PMVs and demand money from them.
I talked to a bus crew and he said this happens almost all the time.
“We give K100 or K150 to policemen on the roadside to release us,” the bus crew said.
Police brutality and harassment is evident in our small to medium enterprise (SME) activities.
There are complaints from around the city by small operators that retail stores and beer shops were robbed by policemen.
Those policemen act foolishly, not realising that their actions are painting a bad image of the PNG Royal Constabulary.
It is an abuse of power.
These few police officers are destroying the integrity and dignity of the good work of police.
Obviously, these officers are self-centred.
Police officers should perform their duties with integrity, honesty and good moral values.
They must not misuse their powers.
I appeal to the Police Department, Road Traffic Authority and Government authorities to look into this and address it.
Let us work together towards a better transport system in the city.

Kunai,
Concerned Passenger,
NCD