25 Jun 2009

Top cop in Solomon Islands suspended over alleged inappropriate behaviour

11:42 am on 25 June 2009

A top police officer in the Solomon Islands has been suspended over alleged inappropriate behaviour and abuse of police vehicle.

The paper, the Solomon Star, says Honiara City Police Commander, Nathan Ratu, was asked to stand down by Police Commissioner Peter Marshall last Friday while the allegations against him are investigated.

Mr Ratu, who is also acting Assistant Commissioner Operations, has confirmed to the Solomon Star his suspension.

But he said he won't make any comments until after the international investigations are completed.

A source told the Solomon Star Mr Ratu and some of his officers were caught drinking in a police vehicle after hours in a secluded spot in Honiara.

The Police Media Unit has confirmed Mr Ratu was suspended pending an internal investigation into alleged improper behaviour.

The Unit said the suspension was ordered by Commissioner Marshall.

Deputy Police Commissioner Walter Kola is heading the investigations.

Commissioner Marshall recently announced the police is taking zero tolerance on inappropriate behaviour by police officers.