Departing Western Highlands provincial police commander Thomas Eluh said allowances received by provincial police commanders were “a joke.”
Eluh said due to financial constraints, many sections of the police force were dying out.
“There are no vehicles and fuel because there’s no funding. Many police units are dying. That’s the real situation. Unless we improve funding, the force is dying. We’re surviving by begging and borrowing,” he said.
“The 1,000 to 2,000 kina [$350 to $700] monthly allowance…is a joke. A lot of police are paying for fuel and photocopying from their own pockets,” Eluh said in his address to policemen and women at his farewell parade at Kimininga Barracks.
He said this opened the door to corrupt practices by officers and the force needed to address the issue immediately.
Referring to the Western Highlands Province itself, he said police work was very difficult and needed a concerted and coordinated effort but it was made even worse when funding was inadequate.
The chief superintendent, who was replaced by Chief Inspector Kaiglo Ambane, said the force was the only well oiled and coordinated organization in the country but was falling apart due to blunders that should be addressed.
“It’s up to you and me as officers of the force who swore to police the country’s laws to keep that promise,” Eluh said.
“Let’s work even harder regardless of the lack in funds or problems that hamper our performances,” Eluh told the men and women he headed for over a year.
Lack of funds has been a major issue for provincial police stations in the highlands region for some years.
“This has led to some units relying on private business houses and individuals to provide fuel for vehicles, which the police hierarchy says compromises the work of the police in carrying out its duties,” Eluh said.
“If we allow the officers to take money out of their own pockets to purchase essentials that are needed to do government work, then we have a serious problem. This opens the door to corrupt practices.”
Ambane urged all officers to back him in enforcing the law regardless of the hiccups in their working environment.
