Commissioner of Police Gari Baki has urged national leaders to respect the constitutional responsibility of the Police and not solicit support of its members in the lead up to the anticipated Vote of No Confidence.
“I appeal to all leaders to respect the neutrality of Police and not to engage members of the Police Force for their political agenda,” Commissioner Baki said.
He also warned members of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary not to allow themselves to be engaged by any of the two groups of national leaders during the period leading up to the Vote of No Confidence.
“Our political leaders must be allowed to freely and without any undue influence exercise their constitutional duties. Leaders should not be hijacked or forced in any situation.
“As policemen our role is basically to provide a safe and secure environment. Manning the gates at the locations where our elected leaders are camping should be the responsibility of private security firms and not police. Policemen are also not allowed to provide escort as well as this paints a bad image of the Constabulary and casts doubt on our neutrality as a law enforcement organisation,” Commissioner Baki said.
“I have directed for over 1,000 police personnel to be deployed within the streets of Port Moresby to ensure peace and order is maintained in the period leading up to the much anticipated Vote of No Confidence. I am issuing a warning that trouble-makers will be severely dealt with,” Baki concluded.