Police violence in Port Moresby, one cop charged with murder

 News that matter in Papua New Guinea

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Police violence in Port Moresby, one cop charged with murder

PORT MORESBY: Police Comm David Manning must be very upset this week to read news of two cases of police violence in the National Capital District.

However, the policeman who shot dead a 28-year-old Gaire market seller in Central was charged with murder on Tuesday (March 30, 2021) afternoon after interviews and a crime scene reconstruction were conducted.

Gaire villagers should be pleased that they decided to remain calm and cool to allow police to investigate and act to ensure justice.

The other case is the assault of a 17-year-old boy who sought refuge in the Gerehu poilce station in Port Moresby.

The boy, a nephew of Communications and Information Technology secretary Steven Matainaho, was allegedly bashed up by a baseball bat-wielding policeman.

The boy is now in a wheelchair with injuries to his head, shoulder, wrist, knee and skin.

Details of the two cases were reported by The National:

Cop charged with murder

March 31, 2021The NationalMain Stories

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
THE police officer who allegedly shot a 28-year-old man in Gaire, Central, has been charged with one count of wilful murder.
The National Capital District criminal investigation division tasked with the investigation, confirmed with The National that the officer was identified and charged on Tuesday afternoon after interviews and a crime scene reconstruction were concluded.
Internal Affairs Directorate head Chief Supt Emil Alpha said investigations from the directorate would be undertaken once statements were made to the directorate to implement disciplinary action against the officer.
Central police confirmed the suspect turned himself in to homicide detectives last Saturday afternoon with the weapon and vehicle used in the shooting.
NCD/Central commander Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Anthony Wagambie Jr, who visited Gaire with Central Governor Robert Agarobe last Saturday morning, said his officers would investigate the incident and appealed for calm.
ACP Wagambie said, last Friday night, at about 8pm, a report reached him about an alleged police shooting and killing of a young man at Gaire along the Magi Highway.
He said the police vehicle was identified by Central police but attempts to go to the scene to get more details was not possible because of the tension in the area.
ACP Wagambie said the police officer was identified last Saturday morning and brought in.
Senior police officers, including ACP Wagambie, deputy commander Laimo Asi and Central police commander Supt John Midi accompanied Agarobe to Gaire to address the people.
“Tension was very high where only Agarobe, deputy governor, LLG president of Hiri and councillors were allowed to speak to the people,” he said. “Police were kept on the other side of the road block.”
ACP Wagambie said police officers maintained their calm stance and he and Asi were finally allowed to speak to the crowd.
It was alleged that the deceased Billy Iru from Ginigolo village in Rigo was selling mustard when he saw someone he knew sitting in a vehicle near.
The vehicle, according to eye witnesses, was allegedly part of a unit within the Central command.
Iru approached the vehicle, spoke to the man and as he turned to walk away, he was shot allegedly by the driver who then sped off.

Police probe assault of teenager

March 31, 2021The NationalNational

INVESTIGATIONS are underway into the assault of a 17-year-old boy at a police station in Port Moresby.
According to Communication and Information Technology secretary Steven Matainaho, his nephew was said to have been seeking refuge at the station when an officer allegedly assaulted him with a baseball bat resulting in injuries and requiring him to be moved around in a wheelchair.
“I find it ironic and frustrating that my nephew actually ran to the police station to seek refuge from trouble but ended up being worse off in the police station,” he said.
NCD Metropolitan Commander Gideon Ikumu told The National that the allegations were serious and that zone commander Tobby Hamago had been instructed to bring in statements of the officers on duty when the assault took place.
Internal Affairs Directorate Chief Supt Emil Alpha said the allegations were serious and the family of the victim needed to give their statements to either NCD Internal Affairs at Boroko Police Station or the Directorate at Konedobu.
According to Matainaho, he named the officer and said his nephew sustained injuries to his head, shoulder, wrist, knee and shin. The teen’s mother, Matainaho’s sister, was notified about the alleged assault and went to the station to find him. He was taken to a private hospital for treatment.

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