Ben Turi

Cowards pick on the innocent: Police boss

“Real criminals are out there. Bashing up innocent victims is the work of incompetent officers,” Metropolitan Superintendent Ben Turi told Loop PNG.

“The real coppers go after criminals. It’s cowards who pick on the innocent.”

He has given his assurance that the perpetrators, including the police station commanders of Waigani and Badili, will be disciplined.

​Doctor’s car ransacked at police station

Dr Berry, a Resident Medical Officer (RMO) attached to the Port Moresby General Hospital Obstetrics & Gynaecology Services, was attacked by drunken policemen on Wednesday, May 31, without any form of reasoning.

Last Friday (June 9), with the assistance of Internal Police Affairs, he went to the Waigani station only to find his car in a disappointing state.

“We found out that my car battery, some tools, back seat cover, which was new, were stolen, as well as the safety sticker was ripped off,” Dr Berry told Loop PNG.

​Another police brutality victim speaks up

Avara Jack, from Vabukori village in the nation’s capital, nearly lost his life on Saturday, May 27, after police officers allegedly bashed him up and stabbed him in the back with a cracked bottle neck.

According to his father’s statement to the Royal PNG Constabulary, Avara was brutally assaulted just because he was in the company of someone (name withheld) who had yelled insulting remarks to a Minister during a political rally.

“The MP’s committee called the police to sort out the disturbance by this individual,” says Jack Rau.

​Perpetrators in doctor’s assault identified

NCD Metropolitan Superintendent, Ben Turi, said: “The men have been identified to be from Waigani Police Station and they will be dealt with under the rule of law.”

He adds that his sergeant is currently working on the case and they are yet to release details of the number of men involved.

This response comes after the National Doctors Association held a press conference yesterday, giving the Royal PNG Constabulary 48 hours to find the perpetrators.

​Police deny reports of rise in hijacked vehicles

This was stressed by the Metropolitan Superintendent, Ben Turi, after the growing number of posts about vehicles getting held up and stolen on the NCD Alert Facebook page.

Turi said his officers are doing a good job around the city, such as the setting up of roadblocks, and they need to be praised for keeping the city quiet since the start of the election period.

“There is no increase and the crime rate is at a manageable and low level, although there is still room for improvement.”

​No cash handouts to police at roadblocks

NCD Metropolitan Superintendent, Ben Turi, says all police officers are paid for their jobs and it is against their conduct to accept, let alone ask for, any money from the public at roadblocks.

He also states, police roadblocks are not a new thing to residents in the nation’s capital, therefore people shouldn’t act surprised when approaching one.

“All vehicles will be searched for criminals or weapons or if the driver and his passengers are under the influence of alcohol,” Turi states.

NCD, Central to launch election operations

The operations will be launched by NCD/ Central Commander, Sylvester Kalaut.

NCD Metropolitan Superintendent, Ben Turi, says apart from the one or two major incidents the previous weekend in the nation’s capital, the election operations in the city have been running smoothly so far.

Turi says with less than two weeks before the city goes to the polls, the operations will continue into the declaration of seats and after.

​‘NCD Alert’ FB page misleading: Turi

NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Ben Turi says the number of posts about the stolen motor vehicles do not match the reports that are filed every day at the police stations.

“Such pages are good but can also be misleading and give a bad name to the force,” states Turi.

“We have vehicle problems but we are still managing to push through the bad publicity on social media.”

Turi adds that his men are already struggling with the limited resource available.

Drink responsibly: Police

Police boss Ben Turi says in the past weeks, there have been numerous reported deaths which were indirect results of the victims either being drunk and in the wrong place or being attacked by drunk suspects.

Turi is calling on Port Moresby residents to drink responsibly this election period. While there is nothing wrong in having a few drinks, people must know their limits and not get themselves into unnecessary risks.

“Law and order and safety must be the prerogative of everybody and not just the police,” Turi reiterates.

Woman wanted for ‘private part’ killing

A man from the Highlands region was found stabbed to death at Gordon’s in the early hours of Monday morning. His wounds were mostly around his genital area.

Police say a Central Province woman, who was reported to be with the man earlier in the evening, is now wanted by police for questioning.

NCD police boss Ben Turi says initial reports say the woman was spotted fleeing the scene during the early hours of Sunday morning.

Turi is appealing to members of the community around the Geita place area, Henao Drive, to come forward with any information into the incident.