Police

“The crime rate has been steady,” says NCD metropolitan superintendent, Perou N’Dranou.

Last week’s statistics saw five cases of break and enter, six cases of stolen motor vehicles, one case of armed robbery, two reported cases of fraud, one reported case of homicide and one reported case of sexual offence.

“The crime statistics indicate a steady rate in the criminal activities, which are currently being dealt with by the police officers.”

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.”

This comes after the arrest of seven officers and an additional two who were arrested over the weekend.

The seven police personnel are now being processed for criminal negligence in a murder case that occurred three weeks ago while the other two have been arrested and charged.

One of the officers was arrested by the internal affairs unit for illegally using an impounded vehicle for two days while the other was arrested for assault in public.

Police reported that the personnel had brought in a wounded suspect from Goilala, Central Province, who later died of loss of blood when he was rushed to the hospital.

The men will be appearing in court for mention tomorrow.

The officers were all attached with the Saraga police station at Six-Mile.

They have already been arrested and will go through administration procedures for further actions to be taken.

All vendors are also being removed from public places, such as in front of shopping centres and bus stops. 

However, some residents deemed this exercise unusual.

Many have expressed concern that the intimidating police presence and the removal of vendors may increase petty crimes in non-guarded areas. 

But the metropolitan superintendent, Perou N’Dranou, has given the assurance that this is nothing new.

He said there are laws in place for vending in public places and what his team is doing is in line with this.

The lifeless and battered body of the woman was found at her family residence at East Boroko, Port Moresby.

The NCD metropolitan superintendent, Commander Perou N’Dranou, said according to reports received from Homicide, the body of the woman, from Central Province, was found under the house.

He said following observations from the homicide unit on ground at that time, the woman could have been beaten and raped in the early hours of the morning – between 2 and 3am.

However, it is still unclear on whether it was a gang rape or not. 

PPC Gesa told this newsroom recently that about 3 to 4 killings on average are reported per month throughout the province.

He said since taking up post as the new PPC for the province, there is great concern over the number of murder cases that arise from petty arguments.

The PPC noted that most of these killings are somewhat considered a norm and occur following the consumption of alcohol or more specifically, homebrew.

NCD metropolitan superintendent, Perou N’Dranou, confirmed that this has come about following a court order issued by the district court last week.

The order restrains the police hierarchy from removing tenants and occupants from the three single quarters of the single barracks.

Meanwhile, the families and tenants remain housed at the barracks until the courts arrive at a decision.

The next court hearing is set for this Wednesday (Feb 28).

Police Officer Joseph Kumin, who is on ground in Moro, Southern Highlands Province, told this newsroom that the earthquake hit at around 3:30am today.

Officer Kumin confirmed the 2 strongest tremors lasted up to about 2 minutes, while short tremors are still being felt.

Officer Kumin was not able to confirm the total damages in Moro, but said police officers found their desktop computers and printers on the floor of their office, damaged.

Last seen on Friday, her body was discovered around midday today (Feb 25) near a drain at Kinakon, outside Port Moresby. 

Her emotional sister, Gloria Touai, said she could not believe that this was her sister lying there.

She said she last spoke with her sister on Friday, when the victim told her she would be visiting her older child.

The late Barbara and her friends had then gone to an outdoor club called the White House, which is located in the same area.