By: Theckla Gunga – EMTV Port Moresby
The Police Force has been identified as one of the leading organizations with the highest number of abuse of human rights cases in Papua New Guinea. Police Commissioner Gari Baki made these remarks when officiating during the first day of the Police Commissioner’s Conference, outside Port Moresby this morning.
A newspaper report released today revealed that over 8000 cases of police brutality are still pending before the District, National and Supreme Courts.
Some date back to 1992. Much of what will be discussed over the next three days include measures on addressing the increase in abuse of human rights cases, and the allegations of corruption within the police department.
Close to 100 assistant police commissioners including divisional and provincial commanders are in Port Moresby to attend the Police Commissioner’s conference for 2018. Senior officers in the police hierarchy will be discussing ways to strengthen leadership roles in their different areas of commands.
This conference is the one time, all senior officers meet and discuss collective approaches to improve policing duties in Papua New Guinea. The conference is aimed at identifying areas of improvements in both the administrative arm and the operations carried out by the police force.
Top of the agenda are the high reports of ill-disciplined officers, and the lack of leadership provided by the commanding officers. Chief Ombudsman Michael Dick who was the keynote speaker this morning, gave an understanding on why police officers working under commanding officers tend to engaged ill-disciplined actions, whilst on duty.
