by Tokana Hasavi Jr – EM TV News, Port Moresby
Andy Bawa, now former NCD Metropolitan Superintendent, was officially replaced by Benjamin Turi today.
Bawa, with 18 years of experience in the Constabulary, served as Metsup since February 2013.
The handover-takeover ceremony took place at the Boroko Police Station.
The Constabulary changes are part of Police Commissioner, Gari Baki’s move to implement effective nationwide policing.
The formalities began with a marching parade of police officers from NCD and NCDC.
While inspecting the guard of honour before his farewell speech, supporters of outgoing Metsup Andy Bawa, protested his removal, one final time.
“I am part of the country’s disciplinary force, I am a career policeman and we are trained to obey orders. I have humbly accepted my transfer order, but the Police Commissioner and I will go,” Bawa told EMTV News.
Bawa said one of the main positives, since taking the post, was the prosecution of police officers involved in the brutal attack of 74 men at 6 mile in 2013.
He said the officers are likely to be suspended and convicted.
Andy Bawa will transfer to Mt. Hagen to replace Deputy Divisional Commander, Jimmy Onopia, who will take up Director Prosecutions at the Konedobu Headquarters.
EMTV News understands that Mr. Onopia wrote a letter of decline to Police Commissioner, Gari Baki, contesting his transfer.
The office of the Commissioner replied saying, “No declines will be entertained.”
The new NCD Metropolitan Superintendent, Benjamin Turi from Sepik and New Ireland, previously headed the Rabaul Queen inquiry.
With two decades in the force, Turi says police brutality and ill-discipline are problems that he’ll be addressing.
“We will start from the inside of the Constabulary through counselling and establish why our officers are behaving the way they do. A lot of our officers are involved in illegal activities like assisting in the escape of criminals, robbery and buai smuggling, including police brutality so we will start by cleaning up our backyard” Metsup Turi said.
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