The Director for Crimes Chief Inspector (CIP)Joel Simatab presented a total of six new desktop computers worth K26,000 to the Provincial Police Commander (PPC) of Western Highlands Superintendent John Sagom on Wednesday January 18 at the National Police Headquarters in Konedobu in the National Capital District.
CIP Simatab said these computers will aid the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) in the province to do their job well and update the Crimes Division on crime reports and investigations.
He said the initiative of providing logistical support to CIDs in all provinces will be rolled out with this being the first to polish up law and order in support of the Commissioner’s intent for 2023.
“It’s a timely approach to back up our investigators in the provinces as it goes in line with the Commissioner’s intent for 2023 to be the year of Law Enforcement,” says Mr Simatab.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Crimes Hodges Ette said, “For many years there was no proper coordination between the provinces and the Police Headquarters, and it has come to our attention that we need to support our team in the provinces.”
He said this will be the first of its kind to give out computers and there will also be a roll out of other programs such as the Crime Management System and Police Clearance capability in provinces.
“A lot of times we do not get the updates of major cases on time from the provinces due to the nonavailability of computers, so we have decided that the time for excuses is over. With the presentation of these computers, we will be expecting proper reports daily,” says ACP Ette.
PPC Western Highlands Superintendent John Sagom said that he is thankful for this great support and for being able to see the importance of having resources to conduct investigations.
He said his CIDs in the province operate on one computer only which makes the workload quite a lot, but he is a relieved commander with this assistance from headquarters.
“With this support, we will make sure that investigations are done properly, we will build up good cases and provide material facts to the court. The intent of the Commissioner for 2023 will be implemented at the provincial and district levels as well,” said PPC Sagom.
Mr Simatab said the next province to get its logistical support will be the East New Britain Province.