Transparency Internaitonal PNG call for Fraud Directorate to be re-opened

Transparency International PNG has called on the Police Commissioner of Papua New Guinea to
immediately reopen the National Fraud & Anti-Corruption Directorate and to refrain from giving
instructions to police officers which would, if obeyed, expose them to the risk of being charged with
attempting to pervert the course of justice.
TI PNG Chairman, Lawrence Stephens made this call following the locking of the National Fraud
& Anti-Corruption Directorate at the direction of the Police Commissioner.
"In our role as a civil society organisation dealing with issues of corruption we are aware of the
important work of the National Fraud & Anti-Corruption Directorate, the huge case load it is
handling and the powers it exercises when deciding to seek court orders. We are also aware that the
administrative powers of police leadership are very distinct from the obligations of individual police
officers to serve the people of PNG," said Mr Stephens
Stephens pointed out that "Individual police officers are sworn to serve the Independent State of
Papua New Guinea and its People and to the Constitution of Papua New Guinea. Various court
rulings have educated the Police about their obligations in the light of their declaration and the
meaning of their powers".
"The National Fraud & Anti-Corruption Directorate is the property of the people of PNG and on
behalf of the people we call upon the Police Commissioner rescind the instruction to lock down that
office, " stressed Mr Stephens.
TI PNG is also seeking legal advice in preparation for approaching the courts for rulings on the
appropriate response to public displays of efforts to subvert the legal authority of office holders.