17 Jan 2008

Samoa police against proposed fraud office

2:50 pm on 17 January 2008

Samoa's Police Minister has rejected calls to establish a fraud office

An independent MP, Motuopua'a Dr Aisoli Va'ai, has suggested to the government to establish a fraud office to investigate cases handled by the police but which were never heard because of insuffcient evidence.

The MP was referring to cases in the past years involving senior government employees and officials.

Motuopua'a has told parliament that there is lack in police performance to achieve justice.

But the Minister of Police and Prisons, Tole'afoa Apulu Fa'afisi, says there is no need for a fraud office as the ministry has established the professional standards unit to investigate any alleged corruption involving the officers.

The same unit is also dealing with enquiries against police officers accused of breaking the law.