7 Jun 2012

PNG police force is united, says Yakasa

1:07 pm on 7 June 2012

The senior Papua New Guinea policeman charged with depriving the political right of the O'Neill government last December insists the police force is united.

Fred Yakasa was arrested this week after he set up a roadblock outside Government House to prevent Peter O'Neill from seeing the Governor-General.

The roadblock followed last December's Supreme Court ruling that Sir Michael Somare, and not Mr O'Neill, was the legitimate prime minister.

Mr Yakasa, who was the Police Commissioner appointed by Sir Michael following the ruling, denies claims that the police force is divided.

He says he recognises Tom Kulunga as the Commissioner.

"He is now in the chair running things and I will be giving him all the support. I really have nothing against that. I've always maintained that the police force is united. We always ensure that we never have got into any real confrontations and things like that from both sides."

Fred Yakasa says he's confident he can beat the charge.