PNG police commissioner defends his chief in Lae

Papua New Guinea's Police Commissioner, Gari Baki, has defended the police chief in Lae, Anthony Wagambie Jr, after calls for him to be removed.

The Works Minister, Francis Awesa, has said Chief Superintendent Wagambie needs to be removed from the country's second largest city because his handling of student protests was insensitive and irresponsible.

But Mr Baki has commended Mr Wagambie for an excellent job in maintaining peace, law and order and security in Lae, especially at the Unitech campus, where a student was killed and buildings burned two weeks ago.

Mr Baki said Mr Wagambie acted very responsibly and could not be held liable or responsible for the death.

He said politicians should refrain from meddling in police affairs and any decision to replace or transfer police officers rests with him.