By Jack Lapauve Jr – EM TV, Port Moresby
Alleged gun related killings in the country by police, have raised questions over the use of police issued rifles, in the past four months.
Mendi Police Station Commander, Inspector Peter Buka says, police should not use guns, but “their mouths as weapons.”
Inspector Buka believes using fire arms in public places to deal with offenders or suspects will cause one to be responsible and answerable to the force and state.
Buka said community policing and awareness in societies is an avenue policemen and women must consider in dealing with the public.
Over the last four months, killings in Lae and Port Moresby have given rise demands for a string of swift investigations by the police, to investigate the police involved in the shootings.
The public has also questioned the issuing of police ammunitions and its use. For police in Mendi, Inspector Buka is encouraging officers to engage the use of guns in high risk situations with care.
Buka says, police in Mendi are now “closer to the people with the use of their mouths, as weapon of engagement.”
