by Rachel Shisei – EM TV News, Madang
The Criminal Investigation Division in the Papua New Guinea Royal Constabulary, is one of the key divisions responsible for the investigation of major crimes throughout the country.
Currently, the Madang Province Criminal Investigations Division (CID) is lacking very basic resources, as simple as items such as paper to prepare court files.
The lack of paper, as well as toners for printers amongst other items is causing a delay in processing cases. This delay, in turn, could potentially see cases thrown out prior to them actually reaching court.
One of these could be that of the recent kidnapping of two Modilon Hospital doctors, if a court file is not provided to the National Court in the forthcoming weeks.
Even the more recent recent cold-blooded killings in the Dalam and Umun village clashes may be thrown out of court because the preparation of court files on the suspects has yet to commence.
“The detective officers worked tirelessly around the clock to investigate and bring suspects into custody, and if the cases are thrown out because we cannot afford papers, it is a total waste of time,” said the Officer in Charge of the Madang Criminal Investigations Division, Detective Inspector Steven Yalamu.
Yalamu said he has requested the Madang Provincial Administrator, Madang District Administrator, and Office of the Madang Governor to provide assistance, but nothing has eventuated for months.
“It is up to the court now, either to bear with us or throw the cases out,” he said.
Yalamu further clarifies that the public in Madang may be pointing fingers to the police force for not doing enough, but the force has problems that are much bigger than just a lack of paper.
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