Police cautioned on arms

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

 

ACTING Police Commissioner Tony Wagambie has instructed his regional and provincial commanders to start assessing threats of arm build-up leading into the 2012 election, The National reports.

Wagambie said police would start flushing out suspected areas by June in the pre-election operations.

He said this when receiving K270, 000 worth of firearms from Maprik MP Gabriel Kapris in Port Moresby yesterday.

The arms included three Israeli-made Gail Ace 23 semi-automatic rifles and three Glock 19 semi-automatic pistols that were paid for by the Maprik joint district planning and budget priorities committee at a cost of K271, 800 for police in the district.

The presentation was witnessed by East Sepik police commander Charles Parinjo, Maprik rural police station commander James Baugen and district administrator Simon Failou.

Wagambie praised Kapris for the foresight in providing the “tools of trade” to the police force to carry out their duties in maintaining law and order.

“Today, young criminals are daring, they have no respect for the law and these tools will assist police.”

He said there was a shortage of funds in the police force  and he urged other leaders to follow the example set by Kapris because law and order was a community issue and not for police alone to resolve.

Wagambie said the police were preparing for the pre-election operations by next June to flush out areas of concern of arms build-up and the contribution by Kapris is welcomed.

Kapris said law and order was very important for any economy to prosper and if it was not addressed law and order would eat away at the economy.

“Many investors’ first question is about the law and order situation in PNG. It is hard to explain but we just say it is like any other place on earth.”

Kapris also urged the police personnel to look after what the leaders are helping with because a new vehicle he gave to Maprik police had been wrecked.

“It is costing the state money and we cannot continue to abuse state assets.”

Wagambie also advised his men that the firearms used must be secured at all times and used properly.

“When your life is in danger, shoot to injure. The gun is not for you to go and do things outside of the law and set security procedures.

East Sepik police Chief Insp Charles Parinjo, in expressing his gratitude for the support, said this was the second, with Angoram MP Arthur Somare already handing over four M16 assault rifles and two SIG pistol for Angoram police.

He also commended East Sepik Governor Peter Wararu for buying five vehicles for police in the province.