A Papua New Guinea policeman, who's been jailed for four years for theft, has had the sentence suspended for a year to give him a chance to repay the money he stole.
Alois Diva, who's being dismissed from the force, had stolen more than 17,000 US dollars from a couple during the course of his work.
He'd confiscated electronic equipment and the cash after exercising a search warrant, but the money was never returned and Diva later confessed to having spent it.
Deputy Police Commissioner Tom Kulunga says such behaviour destroys the credibility of the force and undisciplined and corrupt members will be removed.
He says the police are vigorously embarking on a major recruitment drive so the gap left as a result of the disciplining process is quickly filled.
