A PNG Police Officer attacks wife with iron rod

A WOMAN is recovering in hospital after her husband, a police officer, allegedly hit her with an iron rod.

Relatives of Bridgette Lavett said her husband, a police reservist in Rabaul, allegedly hit her on the left eye. She is recovering at the Nonga Base Hospital in East New Britain.

No comment could be obtained from police in the province. 

Lavett’s relative, Francis Magel, said the incident happened on Sept 15. 

He called on police to investigate the case because it involved one of them.

“A police officer is mandated to uphold law and order and protect lives and properties and not to cause destruction to them,” Magel said.

He said the fact that no action had been taken against the husband was shocking.

He questioned why police reservists were still 

working in Rabaul while other reservists had been decommissioned by the Police Commissioner.

“I am calling on the police commander in East New Britain to investigate and remove the police vehicle 

from these reservists to enable local police to use and for the victim’s husband to be arrested and charged,” Magel said.

He said the provincial police commander had maintained his position to tackle sex-related offences and violence against women and children in the province and must seriously look into this matter.

Magel questioned what effect the Lukautim Pikinini (child protection) Act had on such cases.

He said there were outstanding incest and domestic violence cases in the community and perpetrators involved leaders in the province.

Lavett is from Tavui village in the Balanataman LLG in Rabaul district. 

She works for Bank South Pacific in Rabaul.

The National