By GINNAH MINI
ASSISTANT Commissioner of Police (ACP) for the National Capital District (NCD) and Central Provincial Police Command, Benjamin Turi, has directed police officers in his command to clean up major bus stops in NCD to ensure the public can move around freely and safely.
Speaking during a parade at Gerehu on Friday, August 7, ACP Turi instructed officers to patrol major bus stops and ensure there is no more street vending.
“When we have people crowded doing unnecessary vending at the bus stops and shopping centres, you are pulling in criminals to mix around or mingle around with the crowd and rob phones,” ACP Turi said.
He said officers did not need to use their weapons to remove vendors, but should remain at bus stops such as Gordons and other locations to enforce the directive.
ACP Turi said police had already removed vendors from the Gordons bus stop and were moving to Waigani to clear the area.
“PSC (Police Station Commander) Waigani, as soon as we finish, it is your duty to continue patrolling, checking and making sure that there are no vendors crowded in bus stops and shopping centres,” he said.
He said the operation would continue at Manu and Hohola before returning to Gerehu, where the operation first began.
ACP Turi also reminded officers not to exceed their powers by assaulting or swearing at members of the public, saying such behaviour was not acceptable in the constabulary.
He urged officers not to be intimidated by the public, but to handle every complaint and attend to people when assistance was needed.