(Report by Police Media Officer Andrew Philip.)
WESTERN Highlands Provincial Police Commander Superintendent John Sagom says police officers in the province must be disciplined and committed to their mandated duties at all times.
Mr Sagom said there was a decline in the conduct of policemen and policewomen in performing their mandated duties. He said their punctuality to work has dropped and this is affecting daily policing in the province. He has demanded officers within his command to improve their attendance and performance.
“Policemen and women are still chewing betel nuts whilst in police uniform and even attending complaints at the duty counter as well. This is very disgusting and immediate supervisors must take actions against those officers,” Mr Sagom said.
Mr Sagom said policemen have a greater task ahead of them and their focus must not sway away from their constitutional roles and functions embedded in Section 197 of the Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea.
The PPC said Mount Hagen is the third city in the country and their level of policing should be stepped up to meet the standard. He said police presence must be felt within the city.
He said police will work closely with the Mt Hagen City Council to remove all betel nut markets in the city and declare war on drugs, and offensive weapons in the city. There should not be any more street vending as this also contributes to petty crimes in the city.
The PPC said police foot beat patrols would be conducted on a daily basis at bus stops, shopping centres, and the main market so that the public can see and feel police presence.
He also said that his command will put up Mobile police posts at the Baiyer Dei bus stop, main market, and at Tininga Central to maintain police presence.
“I want to see all police units remain within the city until the public leaves to their respective homes. Our Provincial Government, City Commission, and business communities are eager to support us and we must prove to them how best we can deliver policing services in the city.
“There must be a radical change in the way we conduct police business. I will not be sitting in the office or resting but will be working together until our city is safe for everyone.
“We must always have this question in our minds that are we doing enough for the province and the country we are serving in terms of law and order,” Mr Sagom said.
Mr Sagom said there was no time to sleep and be complacent. He said police would work hard to ensure the city is safe for everyone.
