Police personnel in the Central Province have returned to regular duties, and no police stations will be shut down.
Central Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Acting Superintendent Laimo Asi confirmed this in a media statement.
PPC Asi was refuting claims published in a PNG Bulletin news report of police station closures in the province, following respective commands – allegedly contacted by PNG Bulletin – claiming they would stop police operations following the removal of their PPC due to the reshuffle of top police commands.
The report further claimed this was a show of support for Central Province Governor Rufina Peter’s disappointment over the removal of Asi as PPC Central.
But PPC Asi, who verified the information released, confirmed that no police commander had made such a statement.
Expressing dissatisfaction, he criticized this kind of media coverage as media propaganda meant to damage the reputation of the diligent police carrying out their sworn obligations.
PPC Asi stated that he wants the police officers in Central to work as a team and that he has nothing to say about the reorganization or where he will be working.
PPC Asi was referring to the recent announcement by Police Commissioner David Manning over his reassigned appointment as Banz Police Station Commander in the Jiwaka Province, which will take effect on or by April 5th.
PNGHAUSBUNG was told by Commissioner Manning last Friday at the Konedobu Police Headquarters that a subsequent appointment for the PPC Central post will be made known in due course.
Despite this, PPC Asi highlighted ambitious plans for the province’s police force, declaring his ongoing close collaboration with local leaders and elected leaders to handle crime in the province.
“Law and order problems already exist in the province.”
“We now need to figure out how to handle these problems with law and order, and one method of managing crime is to meet and collaborate closely with leaders.”
“Another is to assist in placing police officers in close proximity to people so they can provide them with assistance, and in order to accomplish that, police housing must be constructed to accommodate police officers.”
“We are constructing such housing in the province, where the provincial government has promised to construct two police houses for the Tapini police station before moving on to the other stations.”
PPC Asi further reminded police personnel to adhere to higher management decisions and urged senior officials to ensure that significant issues communicated to the media are confirmed through proper channels before being made public.