Police Commissioner

The Fiji government has confirmed police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho and corrections services boss Francis Kean have been 'suspended effective immediately'.

The two will remain suspended pending an investigation by a special tribunal which is yet to be established.

President Wiliame Katonivere has appointed assistant police commissioner Juki Fong Chew as acting commissioner and Salote Panapasa as the acting head of prisons.

Pio Tikoduadua says the commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho has however asked that they follow the process of the Constitutional Offices Commission.

Minister Tikoduadua said he respects his decision, and we will let the law take its course.

The Minister added he has no issue with the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.

A border alert has been issued by Fiji's Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for Opposition MP and former Attorney General and Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

Learning that among Commissioner’s five points of focus are: Tonga Police functions as one team, same team, and the frontline must be supported, serves to empower and renew the commitment of the Vava’u Police staff, who serve at the frontline.

A Police statement said the visit last week was also an opportunity for Commissioner McLennan to lay emphasis on the important issue of custody management, which coincided with the custody management training delivered for the Vava’u Police staff at the same time as the visit.

It is expected the king would make its final decision today.

As Kaniva News reported, the Privy Council’s Judicial Appointment and Discipline Panel has extended the Police Commissioner’s contract.

But the extension depends on the king’s approval.

The Minister of Police claimed he had the power to withhold the commissioner’s pay under Clause 51 of Tonga’s constitution.

The move could trigger an action to resolve two apparently contradictory laws.

Commissioner Caldwell was responding to allegations raised in Parliament on Monday about 204 kg of cocaine seized in Vava’u from the yacht JeReVe in 2012.

During debate on the annual report of the Police Minister Nobles Representative Lord Tu’ilakepa, asked what happened to the drugs found on the yacht.

Instead of defending the kingdom’s law enforcement officers, Justice Minister Vuna Fa’otusia said the question would not be answered until the Commissioner’s reports went to Parliament instead of the Privy Council.

Last week the Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva warned the country was a playground for criminals and proposed a committee be formed to investigate Police.

RNZ reports the Police Minister Pohiva Tu'ionetoa said people are worried about a number of recent escapes from police custody, including an American man suspected of murder.

Mr Tu'ionetoa said this brings the commissioner, New Zealand Police Superintendent Steve Caldwell, into the spotlight.

A report has been lodged alleging the Commissioner of Police, Ben Groenewald had obstructed a police investigation involving a foreign diplomat.

ACP Brown said the investigators are continuing with their work and more details will be released at a later date.

Fijivillage has received confirmation that the report against the Police Commissioner was filed by a member of the public after the accident at Edinburgh Drive on Friday night.