14 Dec 2006

Solomons police chief dismisses incompetency accusations after Moti charges dropped

8:22 pm on 14 December 2006

The Solomon Islands police commissioner has strongly rejected claims by the suspended Attorney General and his co-accused that the police are incompetent.

Shane Castles made the comment after Julian Moti, Robson Djokovic and Chris Hapa released a joint statement, saying the police lacked investigative skills.

The statement was released after the magistrates court in Honiara dropped charges against Mr Moti of illegal entry and not having a valid passport.

In a joint statement, the trio condemns the police commissioner, saying his officers have caused them public humiliation and disgrace.

They claim the commissioner had embarrassed them by initiating prosecutions without merit through lack of proper investigatory skills.

They also say they will now make claims for damages caused to their reputation to be shouldered by the country.

Mr Castles dismissed their comments.

"Any litigation or action taken by any of these people against me as commissioner of police or anybody else, I look forward to the day. What I would say to them is bring it on."

Mr Castles says he hopes the facts will eventually come out.