The Commissioner of Police, David Manning, has expressed serious concern over the alleged behaviour of four police members currently on international deployment, following an altercation with members of the public in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

An Internal Affairs investigation has now commenced under the direct oversight of Assistant Commissioner of Police (Internal Affairs).

Assistant Commissioner of Police Internal Affairs, Emil Alpha, is being deployed to Honiara to oversee the investigation, which will be conducted in collaboration with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.

The members involved have been restricted to barracks and are now subject to disciplinary investigation and proceedings. They will return to Port Moresby on the next available flight, where further disciplinary processes will continue.

Commissioner Manning said every aspect of the allegations will be thoroughly investigated.

“Every aspect of these allegations will be thoroughly investigated and aired,” he said.

He stressed that while members have the right to respond to the allegations, all deployed personnel are expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism.

“While the accused have the right to plead their case, my expectation is that members on deployment exhibit only the highest standards of professionalism,” Commissioner Manning said.

He also acknowledged the longstanding cooperation between the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, noting that the incident does not reflect the professionalism of the majority of deployed officers.

“The RPNGC have a long and proud history of cooperation with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force,” he said.

“This isolated incident is disappointing and does not reflect the professionalism of the vast majority of RPNGC members who represent Papua New Guinea while working side by side with their Solomon Islands counterparts.”

Further information on the Internal Affairs investigation will be released at an appropriate time.