A SENIOR police officer in Chimbu has been suspended and charged with one count of stealing, after K54, 000 belonging to a suspect went missing.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Eastern End Anton Billie told The National that the officer had been missing since the case involving a suspect charged with smuggling a gun and money was dismissed by a court in Chimbu.
“His office was locked,” ACP Billie said.
“The safe where the money and firearm had been kept was inside that room.
“When the case was dismissed by the court, the (suspect) asked for the items.
“We asked around but was told the officer had not been at work for a couple of days.”
The office was forced open and when they checked the safe, only K26,000 in cash and the gun were there. The officer was told to return but failed to.
He had since been dismissed.
“He turned up on Monday and was formally interviewed and charged with one count of stealing,” ACP Billie said.
Wantok News 