By Lucy Kopana – EMTV News, Lae
The Lae City authority (LCA) has made a commitment to support the police with vehicles in the efforts to improve policing in the city. Yesterday, the LCA signed an agreement with the Police Commissioner Gary Baki, to make it official.
Lae MP John Rosso said, police will be responsible for the maintenance whilst the LCA will look at replacing old vehicles. Six vehicles; two buses and four land cruisers were given to the Lae Police, funded with District Services Improvement Program (DSIP) funds from 2018.
Mr. Rosso urged both the public and police officers to take care of the vehicles given.
“I did not buy these vehicles with my own money. The DSIP funds belong to you, the people. We used your money to buy the vehicles, so when you see the vehicles, take care of them. Do not throw stones. To the police officers, it is difficult to buy cars. Do not drink alcohol in the car and cause accidents.”
Also present was Police Commissioner, Gary Baki and Police Minister Jelta Wong.
the Lae Police have been using hired vehicles for their operations. Mr. Baki thanked Mr. Rosso, saying, with the purchase of these new vehicles, this will reduce costs.
“A lot of people say that police responsibility is a national function alone… this is not a national function alone, it is a function that all provincial leaders need to take on because law and order is everybody’s responsibility.”
The vehicles will also have GPS tracking, to monitor officers’ movements.
Lae Police Boss Anthony Wagambie Jnr thanked the LCA for the continued partnership. He said three of the land cruisers given will be used by officers at the newly built Malahang Police Station, and the Sector Response Units (SRU) 102 and 103.
“Lae police have implemented strategies in policing the city, through partnership with stakeholders”.
Mr. Wagambie said with these initiatives implemented to improve policing, the performance of police officers will also be addressed.
“With Lae being safe, more people will want to visit.”
With officers from the Lae Metropolitan command also covering areas in the Huon Gulf and Nawaeb Districts, Mr. Wagambie is calling on both District MP’s to assist the Lae Police in improving policing in their areas.
