Cop arrested for drunk driving

“I have zero tolerance for ill-discipline police officers and ignorance of law by law enforcing officers is not an excuse.”

East New Britain Provincial Police Commander, Joseph Tabali said this after a police officer was charged for drunk driving, causing damage to property along the Malangunan Road in Rabaul, East New Britain Province.

The incident took place around 10pm on the 9th of December, 2017.

PPC Tabali said the officer was driving a Toyota Hilux that belonged to the provincial government, owned by the Rabaul District and allocated to the president of Kabiu LLG.

The policeman charged has been identified as 42 year old, Senior constable, Ukies Kibale, from Simbu province.

The officer who is attached with CID in Kokopo, was driving at high speed under the influence of alcohol along the Malagunan road.

He later stopped the vehicle in the middle of the road and began to reverse back at high speed losing control of the vehicle.

Police reported that the man crashed his car into a building on the right side of the road causing multiple damages to it.

The officer escaped from the scene after the incident.

Police arrived later at the scene, collected witness statements and also found empty cans of beer in the vehicle as well.

On Wednesday 11th, the officer was arrested and charged with six traffic offences.

Charges range from negligent driving, driving an unregistered motor vehicle, driving an uninsured motor vehicle, driving under the influence of liquor, driving with an expired safety sticker and the driving a long distance.

All these charges come under the Motor Traffic Act.

The cop has since been released on K1,200 police bail and placed on a 21 day suspension, scheduled to stand for trail in Court.

PPC Tabali says the officer will be dealt with administratively.

Tabali said this year being the Year of discipline as declared by the Commissioner of Police, means all officers’ conduct must be done in a professional manner.

“We are here to serve the people of East New Britain Province, and we should be leading by example. Our conduct on and off duty must be of standard.”

Author: 
Annette Kora