POLICE will investigate a complaint by an eight-month pregnant wife
of a policeman that he hit her with a piece of timber fracturing her arm
and injuring her head, The National reports.
National Capital District/Central assistant commissioner Fred Sheekiot said police were alerted about the matter in a report in The National yesterday and would investigate the officer involved.
“I will do it. Now that you’ve given me the name, I will have the matter investigated,” he said.
Director Internal Affairs Unit Supt Tony Duwang had said earlier he would also follow up on the housewife’s complaint.
The police commissioner’s executive officer Chief Superintendent Andrew Sterns said the police hierarchy did not condone any form of violence against women or children and would continue to work with advocate groups to minimise such violence in society.
“The report in The National newspaper will be investigated like every other complaint brought against members of the constabulary, and the policeman referred to in this report will face normal criminal or disciplinary action,” Stern said.
The housewife said she was assaulted after she found out he was having an extra-marital affair. She was sporting a broken right arm and wore a cap to hide to hide a 2cm cut on her head.
The woman, who said she was expecting twins, said it was the third time she had been assaulted by her husband since they married last year. She said she reported her second beating to the police but no action was taken against him.
“He would drink, womanise and then come home and beat me up, blaming me for little things such as not washing his uniforms or cooking.”
The assault has also enraged members of the public.
In one social networking site, a group called “Papua New Guineans against domestic violence” and its 5,000 plus members were disturbed by the news.
One comment pasted by a member of the group on Facebook read: “The whole police force needed to be educated on the rights of citizens and responsibilities of wearing a uniform. If this trend is not dealt with, they (police) will end up killing us all.”
Another commentator wrote: “Abuse by anyone is dreadful, but by a person in the position of community trust, such as police, doctors, teachers and clergy is appalling. Public shaming is a good start.”
Another wrote: “Can you at least get a message to her about the page and tell her she has about 5,000 people who would like to give her a hug and who admire her for speaking out.”
Stern, who has worked as the Commissioner’s executive officer for over 30 years, said the top echelon of the constabulary shared the views of concerned individuals and groups who had taken up the fight against violence on women.
Stern said the housewife had a right under the law to pursue criminal charges against her husband and police investigators would treat the case as any other assault complaint.
He however denied that the policeman, a probationary constable, was attached to the Commissioner’s office.
“We don’t have a probationary constable working in the Commissioner’s office and the media should get their facts right before publishing such defamatory stories,” he said.
National Capital District/Central assistant commissioner Fred Sheekiot said police were alerted about the matter in a report in The National yesterday and would investigate the officer involved.
“I will do it. Now that you’ve given me the name, I will have the matter investigated,” he said.
Director Internal Affairs Unit Supt Tony Duwang had said earlier he would also follow up on the housewife’s complaint.
The police commissioner’s executive officer Chief Superintendent Andrew Sterns said the police hierarchy did not condone any form of violence against women or children and would continue to work with advocate groups to minimise such violence in society.
“The report in The National newspaper will be investigated like every other complaint brought against members of the constabulary, and the policeman referred to in this report will face normal criminal or disciplinary action,” Stern said.
The housewife said she was assaulted after she found out he was having an extra-marital affair. She was sporting a broken right arm and wore a cap to hide to hide a 2cm cut on her head.
The woman, who said she was expecting twins, said it was the third time she had been assaulted by her husband since they married last year. She said she reported her second beating to the police but no action was taken against him.
“He would drink, womanise and then come home and beat me up, blaming me for little things such as not washing his uniforms or cooking.”
The assault has also enraged members of the public.
In one social networking site, a group called “Papua New Guineans against domestic violence” and its 5,000 plus members were disturbed by the news.
One comment pasted by a member of the group on Facebook read: “The whole police force needed to be educated on the rights of citizens and responsibilities of wearing a uniform. If this trend is not dealt with, they (police) will end up killing us all.”
Another commentator wrote: “Abuse by anyone is dreadful, but by a person in the position of community trust, such as police, doctors, teachers and clergy is appalling. Public shaming is a good start.”
Another wrote: “Can you at least get a message to her about the page and tell her she has about 5,000 people who would like to give her a hug and who admire her for speaking out.”
Stern, who has worked as the Commissioner’s executive officer for over 30 years, said the top echelon of the constabulary shared the views of concerned individuals and groups who had taken up the fight against violence on women.
Stern said the housewife had a right under the law to pursue criminal charges against her husband and police investigators would treat the case as any other assault complaint.
He however denied that the policeman, a probationary constable, was attached to the Commissioner’s office.
“We don’t have a probationary constable working in the Commissioner’s office and the media should get their facts right before publishing such defamatory stories,” he said.
Together we CAN stamp out domestic violence! It taints our society. I applaude her courage for coming not an easy task when you are filled with fear.
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