Western cops: Who’s our boss?

By JUNIOR UKAHA
A GROUP of police officers in Western has asked the police commissioner to clarify who is their provincial police commander – because they have two at the moment.
In a letter to Commissioner Tom Kulunga dated Feb 7, the officers say they are confused because it seems there are two commanders in the province at the moment.
Former provincial commander Insp Peter Philips is back in office while Wesley Tomutagweda remains as acting commander.
“We believe the former PPC (Philips) was implicated with very serious allegations of stealing, official corruption and other disciplinary matters and was suspended and investigated by the Fraud Squad, Ombudsman Commission and auditors,” the letter said.
The officers mentioned in the letter that on Feb 6, Philip arrived in Kiunga from Tabubil and “forcefully removed” acting PPC Tomutagweda from office.
They have not been told by the police headquarters of Philips’ reinstatement.
Tomutagweda too is in the dark about the change.
When contacted yesterday, he said he was on leave and had not been informed about Philips’ reinstatement.
“I have no comments to make.
“You should talk to the headquarters,” he said.
Deputy police commissioner Simon Kauba branded as “rubbish” the queries raised by the officers.
He referred The National to Assistant Commissioner of Police  Southern region Alfred Reu. Attempts to get comments from Reu were unsuccessful.
The police officers alleged that Philips had threatened some of them, denied promotions for others and even sacked those he blamed for his sidelining.
The officers also alleged that Philips had been accompanying an intending candidate for the general election around the province.
Philips could not be reached for comment.
In their letter, they asked Kulunga to clarify the outcome of the investigations against Philips and confirm who the police commander is in Western.