PNG’s top cop Gari Baki announced the tough measure after a weekend robbery in which criminals wearing police uniforms stole two million kina, or $766,000, from a bank at Madang in PNG’s northeast.
“They (criminals) will be shot on sight if they are seen committing a crime in police uniform,” Police Commissioner Baki said.
“This uniform belongs to the Queen, and its reputation should not be tarnished by criminals,” he said.
The robbery of the Bank South Pacific branch at Madang was the second such raid on a BSP bank in as many months.
Both included criminals wearing police uniforms, the taking of bank managers and their family hostages before the robbery was carried out.
PNG’s National newspaper reports that Baki believes the same gang is involved in both robberies, in particular wanted jail escapee and crime boss William Kapris.
“When the law catches up with (Kapris) and his associates, he will meet his fate,” he said.
Over a million kina —$383,000 — was stolen in the similar robbery of a BSP branch in Kerema in PNG’s Gulf Province in May.
Deputy Prime Minister Puka Temu announced the appropriation of 3.2 million kina — $1.17 million — for a special police task force to address PNG’s latest crime wave.
Police in the Madang’s neighboring Morobe Province have arrested three suspects for the Madang robbery but laid no charges.
