13 Aug 2003

PNG police told to be cautious when speaking to media

5:19 pm on 13 August 2003

The Deputy Police Commissoner in Papua New Guinea, Tom Kulunga, has cautioned provincial commanders about speaking to the media.

The caution comes after provincial commanders appealed for more funding and complained of fuel and vehicle shortages which were hampering operations.

Mr Kulunga has just returned from a short tour of some of the rural provinces to meet with commanders and express his concerns as well as to hear first-hand, problems being experienced.

He says he has asked police to be more careful when talking to the media about their problems.

"There needs to be understanding that instead of going to the press and making the public feel uneasy about us doing our work, they need to be cautious about what they're saying."

Tom Kulunga.