Gari Baki

In a statement, Police Commissioner Gari Baki said Chief Superintendent Damaru made this known in a comprehensive brief to the Office of the Commissioner on the status of the ongoing investigations into the allegations of fraudulent payments being made to the law firm, which implicated the Prime Minister and resulted in the warrant of arrest obtained against him on 12 June 2014.

Baki said the two policemen (named) attached to the Police Airborne Tactical Unit (ATU) were presented by their commanding officer to the Police Internal Affairs Directorate where they were charged with assault occasioning bodily harm under the Criminal Code Act.

“They were also charged administratively with four serious disciplinary charges under the Police Force Act and suspended from active duties,” Commissioner Baki said.

The video of the assault of the teenager had gone viral on social media, causing public uproar.

The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) is no different.

After 26 years since an overview structure was produced for the RPNGC, Commissioner for Police, Gari Baki, presented its latest and reviewed structure for the constabulary to the Department of Personnel Management.

During the SOM1 meetings last month, Baki made it clear that it was the constabulary’s intention to support the government’s plans in ensuring that the minimum service delivery framework at National Planning talks must be complemented in the structure.

During the event yesterday in Port Moresby, Baki said networking and collaboration between the various military, police and line government agencies is the key to a secure and safer future for everyone.

The Future Leaders’ Summit is an initiative of the South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting. It is a biannual event designed to bring together young military, police and civilian leaders from Australia Chile, France, New Zealand, Tonga and Papua New Guinea to talk about defence and security issues facing the Pacific.

A disappointed Commissioner of Police said this in relation to the Dog Unit Directorate being suspended from operational duties in the Nation’s Capital. This was over allegations made by the general public about cases of harassment.

Gari Baki expressed grave concern with officers not conforming to disciplinary formalities and the requirements of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.

He said the behaviour of a particular division from the Dog Unit was uncalled for.

Speaking to this newsroom on Monday, Gari Baki said instructions have been issued to have the 37 pass outs locked up at the Gordon Police Station for charges to be laid.

The personnel were detained on March 17 at the police college after they were caught engaging in drunken initiation-like behaviour.

“I’ve also issued instructions that I want them to be suspended and they will be charged and disciplined. That’s the normal disciplinary process.”

In his Christmas and New Year message, Police Commissioner Gari Baki said Papua New Guinea is celebrating its 42nd Christmas as a united nation of a thousand tribes this year.

“As a nation we have come a long way. But the road ahead is still long and filled with many challenges,” he stated.

“Whatever the future holds for our country, we stand a better chance of meeting the challenges together as one people and a united country.

He has further directed police to arrest anyone involved in extortion attempts.

Commissioner Baki issued this directive following a recent incident in Hela Province where people from Poroma hijacked 10 trucks and a Toyota 10-seater belonging to Trans Wonderland Ltd (TWL) to force people from Angore to pay a K3 million compensation claim. They claimed this was for a young man killed in a car accident three years ago.

Gari Baki said the police department is now looking into the welfare of constables and other rank and file officers in the force.

Furthermore, they are encouraging all personnel to become members of the union.

The commissioner stated this during the signing of the agreement that will see an increment for police personnel.

Speaking at the signing on Wednesday, Baki said it is a requirement that will be established for police personnel as currently, staff who are not members of the Union are also benefiting from incentives given to members.

At these camps, they will not miss out on anything, says Commissioner Baki.

“A total of 50 people were peacefully relocated from the Lombrum based Regional Processing Centre to either of the two recently declared immigration centres on Manus Island,” he states.

“Of this number, 36 non-refugees and 13 refugees left voluntarily after being briefed and convinced by PNG Government officials whilst one Kurdish journalist, Behrouz Boochani, was escorted out of the centre by government officials.