Cops clash over case

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
A POLICE officer is in serious condition at the Port Moresby General Hospital from an accident following a stand-off with a member of the internal investigation unit, acting internal affairs director Supt Emil Alpha says.
Supt Alpha said the confrontation between the officers stemmed from an investigation into a hit-and-run incident of a 70-year-old man last month at Gordon, Port Moresby.

He said four men turned up at the home of one of his officers on Saturday at about 11:30pm and threatened him.
Supt Alpha said after the standoff at Morata Police Barracks, the four drove off to Gerehu where they were involved in an accident near Tete Settlement.
“The officer they were looking for was not at home, so they confronted another officer from my office,” Supt Alpha said.
“They threatened him. The officer had to go for his firearm and protect himself.
“However the four officers left soon after swearing at the officer.”
“The officer had to point his firearm at the vehicle which rammed a gate prior to coming into his driveway.
“He only lowered the firearm because he recognised one of the officers in the vehicle,” Supt Alpha said.
The four – two regular officers, a reservist with National Capital District Commission and a dismissed officer – were part of seven officers being investigated by the directorate into the hit and run case.
Alpha said they would press charges on the driver, a constable, once he was released from hospital.
The other constable was charged with one count each of unlawfully being on premises, threatening behavior and two counts of insulting words.
The reservist surrendered to the internal affairs office yesterday and was interviewed.
Alpha said he would be charged today.
The 70-year-old-man victim is now living with a disability.