by Bridgette Komatep – EM TV, Port Moresby
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has ordered a full-scale investigation to address the recent increase in the number of police brutality cases, and the disunity among members of the police force.
Mr O’Neill said a Task Force Team will be set up to investigate the actions of rogue policemen and police related matters.
These include the disharmony between factions of the police who are trying to stop the warrant of arrest for the Prime Minister relating to the Parakagate Scandal, and those working hard to effect it.
The concern regarding police actions was brought on the floor of parliament by the Member for Kundiawa Gembolg Tobias Kulang.
He wanted Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to do something.
With the matter on the warrant of arrest for the Prime Minister before the courts, Mr O’Neill has directed the Police Minister to discipline his men and also set up the Task Force Team.
Mr O’Neill said the government will also improve and increase the number of police training facilities to recruit policemen with better habits.
In recent times, the actions of policemen have been closely scrutinised and criticised by the public. Francis Essy, a lecturer at UPNG was almost pronounced brain-dead after a beating at the hands of police, and is gradually recovering after been brutally attacked by policemen.
While in another incident, Senior Investigator Patrick Premenga and his family were put under house arrest by heavily armed policemen at Games village in the nation’s capital.
Mr O’Neill has tasked the Task Force Team to investigate these issues and others.
