Commissioner should step aside, says PCPI
Written By : SUN FIJI NEWSROOM. Police Commissioner Esala Teleni must step aside to allow his officers to conduct a full and proper inquiry into the recent treason complaint lodged by members of the public.
PCPI campaigner Pita Waqavonovono said in the interest of fairness and to maintain the integrity of the investigation Mr Teleni’s immediate suspension should not be negotiable.
“Mr Teleni must step aside to allow his officers to conduct a full and proper inquiry into the recent treason complaint lodged by members of the public,’’ he said.
“The fact that he is included in the complaints list and he heads the Fiji Police poses a serious conflict of interest on his part.
“Furthermore, he is likely to compromise this investigation.”
Mr Waqavonovono said it should be a matter of serious public concern that the officers at the Samabula police station had refused to accept the complaint so it had to be lodged at the Raiwaqa police station.
He said despite claims by the interim regime that the rule of law was intact, this incident and the refusal by Mr Teleni to publicly indicate if the complaint would be investigated was further proof of the weakened state of the police force.
“It is deeply unfortunate that the reputation and credibility of the Fiji police force has been eroded by a few rotten apples following the coup,’’ he said.
Mr Waqavonovono said it was obvious that majority of professional officers in the police force were under constant pressure to maintain the integrity and standard of the force.
He said the incident at the Samabula police station further reinforced the fear that the police was controlled by the interim regime and the military.
He said it therefore raised serious concerns on whether they could be trusted to carry out their duties without fear or favor within the law.
“PCPI supports the treason complaint lodged by members of the public. Under the penal code and constitution, everyone has a right to seek redress through the law. “PCPI is also deeply concerned by reports that individuals who had lodged the treason complaint are being threatened and intimidated by members of the security forces.
“Obviously, there are some individuals who will go to extreme lengths to subvert the cause of justice, and we are confident that there are enough good officers in the security forces that will not let this happen”, said Mr Waqavonovono.
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