Commander of the National Capital District and Central Province, Benjamin Turi, addressed Central Province police officers at Kwikila Station in Rigo recently, warning that the dry spell caused by El Niño may increase theft.
He explained that as the dry spell continues, many food crops will wither, leaving families hungry and leading to a rise in opportunistic crime.
“Such offenses can lead to loss of life and property, which police officers in the command must be prepared to address. We are not saying it will definitely happen, but it might, so everyone must be prepared. It is the responsibility of the police to ensure everyone lives peacefully, and the general public must also prepare so they do not resort to committing such crimes,” Turi said.
Commander Turi also challenged the people of Rigo and Central Province as a whole not to sell their land, warning that doing so could lead to other social issues. In making this point, he referenced the land disputes and internal family conflicts currently faced by locals from Motu Koitabu.
The event gave him his first opportunity to speak to Central Province officers since being promoted and confirmed to the rank of Commander. He also challenged the officers within the command to work ethically, noting that police officers are arrested, charged, and dismissed every year for misconduct.
Turi urged officers to put their families first when they report for duty, reminding them that doing wrong—whether on or off duty—directly impacts their households if they are suspended from the payroll or dismissed from the force.
Central Provincial Police Commander Supt. Joseph Salle also warned his officers to maintain ethical standards and to look after the assets provided by the department. He stated that when the department builds police accommodation, provides vehicles, issues uniforms, and supplies other policing essentials, they expect each officer to produce results.
Supt. Salle added that recent changes have been implemented within the command to ensure every officer performs and delivers results. During the parade at Kwikila, police stations across Central Province were also issued brush cutters to maintain their premises, along with new chairs for the stations. Leaders from the Central Provincial Government were also present at the parade.
