Housing shortage impede police operations

Housing for public servants continue to impede operations and police officers are among the many who this issue.

Police in Manus are no exception to this despite having just over 55 officers in the province.

Even with over 55 officers, its still not enough to cover the province which has a scattered population among it islands.

“I don’t have enough Police manpower. I have only 55 plus and no new Police accommodation building to take in more Policemen/women,” says Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu.

Last year alone, police from the Tomaringa police barracks in East New Britain province had to be brought to Manus to assist in the 2017 General Election operation and later move refugees out of the decommissioned center in Lombrum.

With the challenge of man power in addressing general law and order issues, police encourage local leaders from the respective LLGs to work with police.

“I managed to cover some of the LLGs and Wards and talk to people on how best we could work together to address law and order in wards and LLG. Through the awareness and exposing my presences with them made our job easier by talking and interacting them. When there is an issue on law and order they take ownership to deal with the issues, otherwise if it was serious, they refer to Police to deal with it,” Yapu said.

The province has however benefited from a rehabilitated police facility that has been funded by the Australian Government at a cost of K13.5 million.

“In January 2018 we will move into the new building and commence work there, it is a double story building. The Provincial Government, Provincial Administration, the Police and people of Manus are proud to see the new building complex for Police and will definitely serve and provided policing services to them,” he said.

 The building was to be open in October last year however was postponed due.

 

(Pictured is the rehabilitated police station in Lorengau. Picture credit: George Sikin. )

Author: 
Sally Pokiton