1 Dec 2016

No time frame yet for Samoa police probe

1:35 pm on 1 December 2016

The Office of the Prime Minister in Samoa says there is no time frame for when a Commission of Inquiry into the Police will begin its work.

Samoa Government Building FMFMII, ELEELE-FOU. Which includes the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Samoa Government Building FMFMII, ELEELE-FOU. Which includes the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Photo: RNZI/Koroi Hawkins

The cabinet announced last month that it would investigate the conduct of a suspended assistant police commissioner Samoa Mulinuu Mulinuu as well as the many grievances raised by several senior officers in a petition against the suspended Police Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil who faces 259 new criminal charges.

The PM's Office says government will not rush to settle this for a short-term fix.

Samoa's Police Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil.

Samoa's Police Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil. Photo: RNZI/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

It says there are many aspects to consider and with a key institution such as Samoa Police, the scope of the inquiry demands proper and purposeful consideration.

It says opposing views are a sign of a healthy democracy so there are positives to be gained from differing opinions.

A view of Apia taken from outside police headquarters

A view of Apia taken from outside police headquarters Photo: RNZI/ Sally Round

And it added that unfortunately there are critics out there who would continue to fan the flames of discord, for their own benefit or amusement.

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