Warning for rouge police officers smuggling betel nut

 NATIONAL Capital District Metropolitan Superintendent Benjamin Turi says police will take disciplinary action against officers involved in smuggling betel nut into the city. 

He made the statement after a police officer from the Dog Unit was caught trying to smuggle betel nut from Mekeo in Central to the city. 

The officer who was caught last week fled but was later arrested and charged. 

He has been suspended and put off the payroll. 

“For ordinary buai (betel nut) smugglers, I have no control over it but police officers involved will be arrested and charged,” Turi said. 

He said despite the allegations against a few members of the constabulary, the crime rate in Port Moresby was manageable.

“Our members are doing fine. Crime rate is manageable from December 2015 up to January 2016. Mobile squad and police dog unit have been doing regular patrols,” he said. 

“A lot of arrests are been made by police on assault, drink driving cases. Traffic officers have making a lot of arrests. 

“But we still have more room for improvement on police brutality.”

Meanwhile, Turi said police patrols had been assigned to monitor known criminals in Morata.

“I have already talked to youths in Gerehu, especially the ones who live in Stage Six.”