By PATRICK SAKAL
A top cop has warned law breakers in the National Capital District (NCD) and Central province to face severe penalties when laws are continuously abused.
NCD and Central Commander and Assistant Police Commissioner, Anthony Wagambie Jr issued a strong warning to the public to abstain from major criminal activities such as armed robberies, murder, drug and human trafficking amongst others.
ACP Wagambie Jr was addressing this in a police parade and a handover – takeover program for the outgoing NCD Metropolitan Chief Superintendent, Perou N’Dranou and the incoming Chief Superintendent, Gideon Ikumu at Boroko on Thursday, Jan 14 and signaled more changes to improve policing under his command.
The handover –take over parade was witnessed by former police commissioner, Geoffrey Vaki, former NCD Central Commander Fred Yakasa, former Metropolitan Superintendent Andy Bawa, Australian Federal Police representatives and other police units and their officers from around the NCD metropolitan command.
He also reminded youths engaging in petty crimes to change their behaviors or evil attitudes and work together with police and community for the betterment of the city and the Central province.
He warned those that disregard the laws will be dealt with by the law.
The ACP said police have come a long way and despite the challenges faced last year, they have been mostly successful in their policing programs.
He said NCD will roll out a radio system program this year with GPS installations in all the police cars to ensure transparency and gain the trust of the public.
Meanwhile, Wagambie urged all the members of the force to support Gideon Ikumu as he takes over the office this week as the new NCD Metropolitan Chief Superintendent.
Met Sup Ikumu told media during a press conference following the parade that he is ready to take up the new role.
He said several outstanding issues that have been in the force for many years will be looked into and changes done accordingly.
“Port Moresby has changed so much over the years in terms of physical developments, business growth and population growth and that has presented a lot of new challenges,” he said.
However, Ikumu was confident and is ready to take on the new role as the metropolitan command’s top cop and policing the city with his men and women.
“I will meet with all my station commanders in few weeks’ time and we will carry on from there under my command.
“There will be some changes but these will be done in consultation with the police station commanders around the city.
“They will tell me what they want to change and how they would like to change it,” he reiterated.
