The Premier of Guadalcanal province in Solomon Islands, Stephen Panga, says the arrest of an elderly Weathercoast couple on Sunday was uncalled for.
The couple are the parents of a man who allegedly led the attack last week on a New Zealand Police Officer serving with the Regional Assistance Mission.
The man has been sought in connection with a murder nine years ago.
The Solomon Star reports Mr Panga says he is disappointed police would turn to the parents of a suspect instead of pursuing the suspect himself.
He says people will see this as failure by the police.
Mr Panga says he acknowledges the arrest signalled a warning that harbouring a criminal is a crime, but the police must understand the roles parents play in a family.
