Officers will not be treated differently for gender violence: Baki

Police Commissioner Gary Baki.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, December 18, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)



POLICE Commissioner, Gary Baki, has reaffirmed his stance on the issue of Gender Based Violence in the country’s police force and repercussions on officers involved in the act.

The commissioner said that the issue of violence has always been a part of the force, however, stated that despite some actions being taken in the past, there was still a lot more to be done.

“In terms of dealing with our members. Let me put it bluntly that it was one of those issues that we have addressed in our conference in Kimbe and I made it very clear to my officers over there that any issues that comes out of the relationship between our police officers in the barracks, meaning that if you are a police officer and you have a polygamous relationship and then you create violence for your wife.”

“You will not be treated differently, you will be subject to the process and if you are violent and are reported and if you have assaulted your wife you will be arrested and charged. That is very clear.”

“The reason is simply because we’ve allowed this to happen and it has gone to deaf ears and no one has attended anything to it we turn a blind eye to it,” Mr Baki said.

He said the issue ultimately deals with the ill-discipline of the officers that conduct themselves in that manner and for those in charge to deal with the issue.

“It is very simple and it happens right in our very institution, and no one wants to take any responsibility.”

“If a member behaves like that then he is expected to be treated like that. I expect that every commissioned officer that if an incident happens involving his men and the family, meaning the wife, in there then they should stand up and deal with this issue.”

“It is not something that you pass on to someone else to do, as a police officer you have to behave consistently as an officer of the law.”