By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
NATIONAL Capital District Police Metropolitan Commander, Superintendent Silva Sika recently expressed his concerns about the dismissal of criminal cases at the District Court due to insufficient evidence or questionable arrest procedures involving bribes.
Speaking during a sector patrol zone two parade at Unagi field onJune 29, he said the high rate of case dismissals due to insufficient evidence has raised significant alarm and grave concern.Supt Sika said he would personally oversee the bail process at Boroko cell due to his lack of confidence in the integrity of arresting officers.
He said some officers arrest suspects on minor offences but charge them exorbitant bail amounts.Supt Sika emphasised his commitment to achieving zero-tolerance for bribery and extortion in the police force. He called for proper assessment of evidence before making arrests to avoid wasting time, resources, and court proceedings on cases that ultimately get dismissed.
Furthermore, Supt Sika addressed the issue of extortion within police stations, where officers unlawfully stop vehicles and collect money under the guise of performing police duties. He condemned the unethical practice and demanded its immediate cessation.“We still have issues of extortion at the police station where police men are stopping cars and collection money under the disguise of doing police work,” Supt Sika said.
“This must stop, that practices are evil and must stop”.He stressed the importance of intelligence work in combating crime and expressed disappointment in the lack of activity from the intelligence unit and urged Zone Commanders to establish and strengthen their intelligence units within their respective sections.
“I have not seen the intelligence unit working,” Supt Sika said.“Intelligence gathering is an important factor in community policing. “Zone commanders must get organise and set up intelligence unit in your section. “I want you to do raids in the settlement and recover stolen properties. “We need to revive the National Crime Intelligence Unit. “But if it’s not working, I want zone commander to do it. I want you to do raids. “There are wanted suspects in the community. We can be complacent. “It is a disease and is not needed in the police force. “I want raids. I want results.”
