THE Commissioner of Police, David Manning, has summoned senior police personnel tasked to lead the restoration of law and order in Highlands hotspots, and ordered them to depart for their respective posts with immediate effect.
Commissioner Manning said he has been tolerant, but enough is enough and officers that are listed for deployment will be in place to carry out their duties or be stood aside.
“There is very little our senior operations personnel can do from behind a desk in Port Moresby when shots are being fired, people being attacked and homes being burned in the Highlands,” the Commissioner said at a briefing with senior police.
“The threats we face from domestic terrorist groups that use violence as part of wider criminal activities will be overcome, and this is a law enforcement operation that is being carried out on the ground in affected areas.
“I am disappointed that some in senior leadership positions are not on the ground in the Highlands leading the security force personnel, and they can and will do better.
“The low numbers of arrest in these commands is unacceptable. It will not be tolerated. Arrest will be delivered or those in these commands will be held to account.
“Disciplined forces are not normal public sector agencies, we have chains of command and personnel who fail to follow directions will face the consequences.”
“These senior personnel will be in place in the Highlands, working with Commander Wagambie who has responsibility for restoring order in these troubled areas.
Commissioner Manning also sounded his disgust at sorcery related violence seen on video over recent days.
“Investigations are underway into this barbaric attack, and police will move in on the community involved.
“Sorcery violence is not a part of our culture in the modern world, and everyone has a responsibility to stand up and stop these pathetic actions.
“As this investigation continues and additional information is available it will be shared with the public.
“While the causes of violence requires community leaders to take charge of their people before crimes are committed, the full force of the law is at our disposal to clean up the threat that they pose to innocent people.
“I have been given the direction that security forces will have zero tolerance in confronting domestic terrorists, particularly when weapons are used.
“Security forces also need the co-operation and support of local leaders stepping up and doing the right thing.
“Any community leader who protects violent criminals is just as guilty as the domestic terrorists, murderers and rapists they are protecting.”
Senior personnel summoned by Commissioner Manning included Operational Commander, Commander Anthony Wagambie Jr; Western Highlands Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Joseph Tondop; Southern Highlands Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Epenes Nili; and Hela Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Michael Welly.