Acting Police Commissioner Jim Andrews today condemned the attack on
Jiwaka Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Joseph Tondop and demanded
village leaders to immediately surrender the attackers.
The Highlands Deputy Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Jimmy
Onopia, PPC Tondop and their policemen were set upon by villagers at 10 am this
morning during a meeting in which Mr Tondop was physically assaulted and a
number of police vehicles badly damaged.
“This is totally unacceptable,” Acting Commissioner Andrews said, adding
that the villagers have until Wednesday March 03 to hand in the trouble makers.
“I appeal to the village leaders to identify the attackers and bring
them to police to be arrested and charged accordingly. The attack is uncalled
for. Mr Onopia and Mr Tondop went in good faith to meet the people to hear
their petitions following the death of a man in police custody when they were
attacked by villagers.
“For the information of the public, especially the people of Jiwaka, we
sent three police investigators from Port Moresby to Jiwaka and since then we have
arrested and charged four policemen and one civilian for the death of the man
in police custody.
“Contrary to what the people are saying we have been taking, we are
taking and we will be taking action against policemen who take the law into
their own hands. This is the people’s police force. The RPNGC exists to protect
and serve the people of Papua New Guinea and we will swiftly remove any member
of the force who is a threat to the public. They will be dealt with through the
administrative discipline process and they will be charged criminally as well
if needed.
“The attack on Mr Tondop is unwarranted and the assailants must be
apprehended and charged,” Acting Commissioner Andrews said.
Meanwhile, Mr Andrews said contrary to what a number of critics have
publicly stated, Police are taking action against rogue policemen especially
over recent alleged police shootings. He said there is no cover-up and all
policemen who break the law will face the full force of the law.
Acting Commissioner Andrews said one policeman has been arrested and
charged with willful murder over the killing of Lae women Moanna Pisima. Another
policeman has been arrested and charged with willful murder of a Tatana man.
Another alleged police shooting in Wewak is completed and charges are expected
to be laid within the next few days.
As for the Hanuabada shooting where two men were allegedly shot and
killed by police, Acting Commissioner Andrews said the investigation was
frustrated because witnesses are not coming forward to give their statements.
“What we have heard is that there was a disagreement between the Hanuabada
people over the sharing of “Haus krai”
monies paid out to the families of the two men who were killed and since then
no-one has come forward to give statements.
“The ball is in their court, not the police. We are serious about
removing rogue elements who do not respect life and property. We want to
identify them and have them charged both administratively and criminally. So I
am once again appealing to the villagers to come forward and give your
statements.
“Also, as a proactive measure to stop further killings the police top
management issued directives for all high powered weapons to be removed and locked
away in armories across the nation. We have also directed that all policemen return
to the classrooms for training on standard operating procedures with regards to
the use of firearms as well as the rules of engagement.
“It is only after such training that weapons will be reissued to selected
non-commissioned officers or commissioned officers,” Acting Commissioner
Andrews concluded.
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