27 Nov 2015

Australian policeman maintains stance on PNG police violence

3:09 pm on 27 November 2015

An Australian police officer who has detailed violence and other abuses within the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, has dismissed criticism from that country's police chief.

AFP officer, Brad Turner, says in his year or so in PNG he witnessed extra-judicial killings and the uncalled for destruction of a squatter settlement among other crimes.

PNG Police at the 2015 Pacific Islands Forum meeting.

PNG Police at the 2015 Pacific Islands Forum meeting. Photo: RNZI / Koro Vaka'uta

PNG police commander Gary Baki says Mr Turner's claims are a pack of lies while the AFP management says it has no concerns.

But Mr Turner says he has the photographic evidence to support what he is saying.

He says Mr Baki is a good commander but he is undertaking a face saving exercise.

"There are some great officers up there, trying very, very hard to do a difficult job in a difficult environment but they are being horribly let down by small groups within the RPNGC [Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary] who are essentially criminal gangs."

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