New police commissioner in Tonga wants to rebuild trust

Transcript

The new police commissioner in Tonga says he wants to build leadership capacity within the force and trust with the public.

Steven Caldwell comes to the job after 37 years as a senior officer across the Asia Pacific region.

The force's reputation suffered after two former members were jailed over the killing of a New Zealand policeman and the former police commissioner said there was a culture of violence.

But Mr Caldwell told Koro Vaka'uta he is excited about the future.

Tonga police commissioner, Steven Caldwell Photo: supplied

STEVEN CALDWELL: The opportunity that has been given to me is a huge challenge both personally and professionally. I intend to help with passing on my knowledge, my experience, my skills but I guess more importantly my values in terms of what it means to be a police officer.

KORO VAKA'UTA: In terms of that experience, you have been in places like Bougainville, Solomons and Marlborough, here in New Zealand. How does your experience in those varied places help you with your work in Tonga?

SC: The first thing that we need to do is listen. We need to take small steps. We need to build on what is already working.  We need to respect the country that we are serving and their culture. We cannot put one template over policing but in my experience the best communication tool is to listen. My focus will be for the next several weeks, travelling the various islands of the kingdom talking to community, talking to community leaders and talking to police staff about their expectations and how best we can build on what already has been done. The most important thing for me is to make a difference and making a difference that is going to last.

KV: What does it mean to be a police officer?

SC: What's driven me is I'm there as a police officer to help. I'm there to serve the community. I'm there to keep a community safe.  It's about upholding the rule of law.  It's about the prevention of crime and it's about having the ability to detect crime.

KV: What are your first impressions of the Tongan force?

SC: There are some very good police officers in the Tonga police and it's about enabling those individuals to help the changes that are necessary, to institutionalise the changes. I guess my main goal will be to develop leadership at all levels and to reach their full potential so they can make right decisions on behalf of the Tongan police in the service of their community and country.

KV: The force in Tonga has had a few blows to its reputation in recent times. How can and will you improve on this?

SC: I guess any relationship is based on trust and respect. That's all about being judged upon what we do. There is always going to be a small element that will let the side down with unacceptable behaviour but there is also a lot of very, very good work that is going on which I need to recognise. It's about getting back to basics of policing. It's about engaging with the community.  It's about taking small steps.  It's about setting very clear expectations of staff behaviour. It's about holding people to account. It's about being visible. It's about values. It's about who we are as individuals and being role models.