Police confirm receiving letter of complaint from Chief Justice

The acting Police Commissioner has confirmed receiving a letter of complaint from the Office of the Chief Justice.

In a press briefing this afternoon at the Police headquarters, David Manning said he received a formal complaint from Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika on Tuesday, November 12th.

“That particular complaint was also cc’ed (carbon copied) to the Chief Ombudsman,” stated Manning.

“The matter has been referred to the office of the assistant commissioner of crimes, which is Commissioner Hodges Ette, where an officer will be identified and tasked with carrying out the initial inquiries into the offences alleged to have been committed by Bryan Kramer, Minister for Police.”

Manning further issued a directive to all members of the Royal PNG Constabulary that when complaints involving national leaders are filed, they should all be forwarded immediately to the office of the police commissioner.

“There will be no deviation from this directive,” Manning stated.

In his letter to the acting Police Commissioner, dated November 11th, Chief Sir Gibbs Salika said his complaint is against Kramer’s post on Facebook relating to his role in referring a matter for Justice Nicholas Miviri to deal with “in relation to an application for interim stay of a warrant of arrest by the Waigani District Court to arrest” Peter O’Neill.

“His article on the Facebook page is inciting trouble or tending to cause trouble or ill-feeling among people,” wrote the Chief Justice.

“I request the police to investigate the matter and lay appropriate charges under s.11 of the Summary Offences Act and to look at the possibility of laying charges under the Cybercrime Act as well.”

Author: 
Carmella Gware