26th March, 2022 TONGAN The foundation for Tonga Police services is the trust given to the Tonga Police by the community and the people of Tonga. Tonga Police values and protects public trust through maintaining clear guidelines for Police conduct and operations. These guidelines help to ensure appropriate level of accountability is maintained by individual police officers and the Tonga Police as an organization.
Tonga Police has received information that a media article questioned the integrity and conduct of two senior Police officers in relation to an operation conducted in 2019. It is alleged that a diary, an unlicensed rifle and ammunition were seized and two suspects were arrested during this operation. The suspects arrested are related to Acting Deputy Commissioner Ashley Fua. It was also alleged that food and drinks were donated to the Police from the family of those who were arrested. It was also alleged that Acting Deputy Commissioner (A/DC) Halatoa Taufa who leads the Drugs Enforcement Taskforce (DET) returned the diary to a family member of the owner, disregarding likely information and evidence of drug dealing.
The investigation and report submitted to the Commissioner of Police on the relevant facts in 2019 can be summarized as follows:
a. The diary seized by a member of the DET was not registered as part of the evidence seized in the operation. The DET member disregarded the procedures for seized property during a police search.
b. A/DC Taufa gave the leader of the operation time to go through the diary if any information can be taken from the diary.
c. A/DC Taufa also checked the diary if any information is related to the investigation and there was none. The diary was then returned to the owner.
At the end of this incident, former Police Commissioner Stephen Caldwell directed that a Last Warning is issued to the DET member who took the diary and failed to follow proper procedures. The Commissioner also directed to give all food and drinks donated to Tonga Police to victims of Domestic Violence.
It is clear that the information in the article, though taken out of context, would have been sourced from a police officer.
“Breach of operations security is a serious matter and I have authorized investigation into this leak of information and to establish the motive behind it,” says Acting Commissioner of Police Brigadier Lord Fielakepa. “Operations security in all police operations is necessary to safeguard police officers and the integrity of the operations. A breach of operations security not only places police operations at risk of failure but it endangers the lives of police officers involved.”
“Further, we have an internal mechanism authorized by the Tonga Police Act to deal with any complaints against Police. Police members are expected to use this channel for their grievance and complaints.”
Tonga Police maintains that Police officers are subject to the law and must follow procedures and the Police Code of Conduct. The conduct of A/DC Halatoa Taufa is commendable and maintained the credibility of Tonga Police.
Tonga Police encourages members of the public to bring any complaint to the Office of the Commissioner on 740-1625 or to our Professional Standards Unit on 21-626.
Tonga Police takes this opportunity to thank the public and our partners for your continued support.
ENDS
For further Media Inquiries please contact, Tonga Police Headquarters, Longolongo, (676) 740-1625