Cash incentives for police in Papua New Guinea will not be allowed, the country's police chief says.
Papua New Guinea police. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
Police Commissioner Gary Baki made the comment following announcements by the National Capital District Metropolitan Superintendent Perou N'Dranou of his intention to pay cash bonuses for a prescribed number of arrests made by policemen and women under his command.
While Mr N'dranou's heart may be in the right place the proposal is counter-productive, Mr Baki said.
He said policemen and women have a constitutional duty and responsibility to apprehend, arrest and charge law breakers.
They are already paid so the payment of bonuses is morally and ethically wrong, he said.
He also said police are among the highest paid public servants in the country.
Mr Baki said he would rather look at improving training, mentoring and resourcing of police operations while improving discipline as well as terms and conditions for all police.