Acting Police Commissioner

Police Minister Bryan Kramer gave the assurance during a press conference today at the Police Headquarters.

Acting Police Commissioner, Francis Tokura, acting Deputy Police Commissioner – Operations, David Manning, and acting Deputy Police Commissioner – Administration, Joanne Clarkson, will all serve for a period of three months.

Acting Police Commissioner, Gari Baki, said within the last 13 years, the RPNGC has had 13 police commissioners – six permanent appointments and seven acting appointments.

“If it continues like this, this Constabulary will never build a house,” Baki said in yesterday’s press briefing.

The July 7^th briefing followed a directive from Police Minister, Bryan Kramer, for Baki to stop work, while Deputy Police Commissioners Jim Andrews and Raphael Huafolo were replaced after their contracts expired on July 4^th.

In response to comments made by the Police Union, Mr Andrews said transfers and appointment of senior police officers are the prerogative of the Police Commissioner which in this case was done to effectively address the lawless situation in the troubled Southern Highlands Province.

 “My door is always open and the Union Executives should have talked to me rather than going to the media making unnecessary comments,” Acting Commissioner Andrews said.