The office of Papua New Guinea's Public Solicitor is to investigate a clash between criminals and police in Alotau last week.
Extra police have been deployed to Milne Bay's capital after more deadly unrest linked to a criminal gang led by prison escapee Tommy Baker.
The Baker gang is alleged to have burnt houses in the local police barracks, causing the death of two people.
Papua New Guinea police. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
It prompted a police shootout with the gang in which another person was killed.
The Provincial Police Commander George Bayagau said the Attorney General's directions for a probe followed complaints made against police officers involved in the incident.
The Public Solicitor will investigate the conduct of policemen prior to, during and after the incident on 23rd January
According to Chief Inspector Bayagau, "the situation in Alotau was quiet and business had returned to normal".
But Baker remained at large and the public had been urged to help police recapture him.
Chief Inspector Bayagau told RNZ Pacific that it was understood that Baker was in the Alotau area.
He said investigations were continuing in relation to the death of a provincial legal officer, the burning of the police houses, the armed robbery of a shop, the stealing of an ATM and the death of a woman and her son at the barracks.