Acting Deputy Police Commissioner and COVID 19 Joint Agency Task Force Operations Commander,  Donald Yamasombi.

Acting Deputy Police Commissioner and COVID 19 Joint Agency Task Force Operations Commander,  Donald Yamasombi,  says  the recent transfer of senior police officers to provinces has been made in the best interest of the police force to maintain heightened security levels especially at the border areas during the COVID-19 State of Emergency (SOE) period and beyond.

Mr Yamasombi said this following Police Commissioner and Emergency Controller David Manning’s transfer of Provincial Police Commanders (PPC) for West Sepik, South Fly, Milne Bay, New Ireland and Director Internal Affairs last month.

The transferred officers include Chief Superintendent Norman Kambo (unattached) to PPC West Sepik, Chief Superintendent Kabib Lamu (unattached) to PPC New Ireland, Chief Superintendent Robert Ali (Director Internal Affairs) to PPC South Fly, Superintendent Peter Barkie (unattached) to PPC Milne Bay and Chief Inspector Alpha Emil (Legal Directorate) to acting Director Internal Affairs

Mr Yamasombi said these transfers were done in the best interest of the Constabulary to instil command and control in these strategic locations as the country combats the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The border regions being the West Sepik and South Fly need constant leadership as well as command and control.

“So far incidents reported in these areas warranted the Commissioner to appoint very senior experienced officers to take up these posts. New Ireland and Milne Bay are no different and we expect these officers to take up their posts as per the directive,” he said.

Mr Yamasombi urged officers to continue to perform with discipline and respect to citizens and act appropriately when dealing with illegal or suspicious incidents.

“With the difficult situation we all are facing, citizens expect police to perform within law and we will not hesitate to discipline the few police officers who continue to tarnish the name of the Police force.

“We have begun investigations on complaints against police officers as we continue our effort to remove rogue police personnel from the force. So far a total of 105 complaints have been received and we will investigate all of them. If our men and women have acted illegally or abused their duties and responsibilities then they will be dealt with swiftly and severely,” Mr Yamasombi said.

Media contact: Chief Superintendent Dominic D. Kakas, BEM, DPS

Team Leader – COVID-19 Media & Public Information Joint Agency Task Force

Mobile: 75430557 :Email: ddkakas@gmail.com