POLICE have detained 20 Correctional Services (CS) personnel following a disorderly conduct incident overnight. The arrested CS personnel are being charged in relation to the illegal discharge of firearms, assault and making threats against other personnel and their families.
The situation began with a confrontation at a CS barracks and moved to a residence in NCD where the arrests were made. Police are opposing bail and the matter will now be processed through the court, and CS disciplinary action will proceed alongside criminal charges.
Minister for Police, the Honourable Sir John Pundari, MP, said he has been briefed on the matter and is extremely disappointed at the reported conduct by the CS personnel that he said must be dealt with in no uncertain terms.
“We have very good and highly disciplined men and women in our CS, Police and Defence Force, so this behaviour cannot and will not be tolerated,” Minister Pundari noted.
“The conduct of these CS personnel is absolutely unacceptable and they will now face the full force of the criminal justice system
“I commend the swift response of RPNGC members in containing this incident and detaining those involved.
“Our three disciplined services work closely together. CS and Police co-ordinated well to resolve this matter before it could get worse.”
“This unacceptable incident comes at a time when our disciplined forces are removing firearms from communities. The integrity of security forces armouries is paramount to the safety of our communities.
Commissioner of Police, David Manning, confirmed that measures have been implemented and appropriate RPNGC personnel deployed to prevent interruption to the operation of CS facilities.
“I warn any colleagues of the detained CS personnel to maintain calm, and any more trouble will be met with a swift response and they too will find themselves locked up in a cell,” Commissioner Manning said.
“Disciplined services personnel live by codes of conduct and ethics that make this behaviour inexcusable. The people of our country expect the members of our disciplined forces to carry themselves according to the highest standards.
“What we saw last night is disgraceful and those involved will be held to account.”
The 20 men will remain in Police custody ahead of their appearances in court, and the vehicles and weapons that had been in their possession have been impounded as evidence.