Police Minister

“Citizens Must Take Ownership”

Commissioner Manning said the success of the elections will depend on the citizens, in ensuring that citizens exercise their democratic right safely and fairly.

Election- related deaths in Papua New Guinea is almost normal for every other National General Election.

As the country prepares to issue writs at the end of April, Police Minister William Onglo said Elections in the country has always been volatile, especially in the highlands region. 

“No Need For Guns During Elections”

“I believe that we should not be running election with guns, but in certain part of the country we would use force to control the crowd and protect our citizens to exercise their democratic rights,” Minister Onglo said.

He said this when referring to yesterday’s Post-Courier front page, stating that police were yet to purchase firearms for security operations as per a police procurement process.

Government respects ruling

Minister Onglo said this in a statement following the National Court ruling nullifying the appointment of David Manning as Commissioner of Police and Secretary to the Department of Police.

The appointment of Manning was ruled unlawful by Justice David Canning’s on January 22nd.

In a statement Police Minister, William Onglo, said the Marape-led Government respected the decision of the National Court and will do its utmost best to comply with all and any orders issued. 

Kramer supports ‘One strike, you’re out’

Kramer said police brutality especially needed to be addressed, and that more training had to be provided to officers to learn how to de-escalate potentially violent situations.

“Strict policies and penalties against the use of force, and effective command and control is needed to help prevent police violence,” he stated.

Kramer said cases involving police brutality should be opened or re-opened and pursued.

“There are some incidents of police violence that are on video, so cases like these for example, should not take too long to investigate and complete.”

Kramer welcomes progress in APEC report

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation report is on Papua New Guinea’s spending on hosting the APEC Leaders’ Summit in 2018, and Kramer has previously requested for its completion. 

In a media conference on July 14th, Kramer said he was still interested in seeing the final report.

Minister outlines lack of visibility in APEC spending

This is why the Finance Department does not have full visibility of APEC expenses.

When giving an update, Police Minister Bryan Kramer further said a consultant going by the name of David Johnson, engaged under the former APEC CEO, has all the spreadsheet records of the APEC report.

“Which Finance is awaiting,” the Minister said.

“And Finance had planned to engage an independent accounting firm, in the likes of Deloitte and KPMG, to carry out and complete that report. That was the last information I got.

Women vendors sexually harassed by police: Governor

Governor Robert Agarobe voiced his frustration in Parliament on Friday, June 5th, saying a Fox Unit physically and sexually harassed their women vendors during a raid at the Porebada junction on the 18th of April.

“It also went to the extreme where their private parts were searched for money,” said the Governor.

The Governor said this incident was included in a petition that was signed by about 200 of his people, and handed to the Police Commissioner.

Police Minister stresses on responsible information sharing

Police Minister Bryan Kramer made this call during the announcement of a strategic joint task force team to monitor the coronavirus pandemic.

Unconfirmed information being spread on social media on Wednesday, the 18th of March, saw hysterical citizens rush into shops and buy stocks in bulk, leaving empty shelves in their wake.

Known as panic buying, this situation could have been avoided if Papua New Guineans had been responsible as well as critical.

Joint task force to respond to COVID-19

This was announced in a joint media conference yesterday attended by Police Minister Bryan Kramer, Health Minister Jelta Wong, the Acting Secretary for Health, Dr Paison Dakulala, Police Commissioner David Manning, head of St John’s Ambulance Services, Matthew Cannon, and other government officials, including the PNG Fire Service.

Police Minister Kramer also confirmed at the media conference that there is no case of the COVID-19 in PNG as yet. However, he said rather than wait for a case to arise, a rapid response team will be set up to respond in real time in the communities.

Porgera raid against Ministers advise

Kramer said he was informed of the impending raid during his last visit to Porgera and strongly advised against it given the lack of protective gear and training.

He said when he learnt of the death of the police officer he was upset.

Minister Kramer was responding to questions by NCD Governor, Powes Parkop, on the proliferation of guns in tribal communities in rural PNG.