PNG police minister wants to improve public access to police

9:02 pm on 11 June 2019

Papua New Guinea's new Police Minister, Bryan Kramer, is promising a social media programme to allow people to report issues in their communities to police.

Bryan Kramer.

Bryan Kramer. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koroi Hawkins

He said he wanted to improve the police's working relationship with the public.

The Post Courier newspaper quoted Mr Kramer saying "right now, people are more afraid of police than they are of rascals".

He said his interest in taking the police portfolio was about helping parents, who were concerned for their safety and that of their children.

Mr Kramer said locking up corrupt politicians and corrupt foreigners are secondary issues.

The Madang MP, an outspoken government critic with a large Facebook following, was a surprise choice for minister when the new prime minister James Marape announced his cabinet last week.

Mr Kramer told RNZ Pacific he was meeting with Police Commissioner Gary Baki today to map out priorities, as they look to restore order and discipline in PNG's troubled force.