14 May 2009

PNG Police Commissioner says police abuse of sex workers unacceptable

7:53 pm on 14 May 2009

Papua New Guinea's Police Commissioner says if police are found to be responsible for the recent death of a sex worker in Morobe province's Lae city, the law will deal with them accordingly.

Morobe's deputy provincial administrator says a group of sex workers were attending a church meeting last Friday when they were confronted by police.

Patilias Gamato is calling for a thorough investigation into police handling of the incident, in which he says a Nazureen pastor and sex workers were beaten, one to death.

The Commissioner, Gary Baki, says an investigation into the incident is underway.

"And I've made it very, very clear that any conduct contrary to what my requirements are in terms of proper behaviour, you know policemen stepping out of that, they are not immune to the law, they will be dealt with accordingly through the law and as well as that they will be dealt with internally through our disciplinary process. They are not going to get out of it if they are found to be guilty in what they have done"

Gary Baki says police conduct is an issue of the utmost importance.