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.

TV1Samoa quotes Auapa'au saying the complaints are currently dealt with by the internal Police Professional Standards Tribunal which has been criticised by members of the public as being biased.

He says there are always suspicions of police bias when investigating their own.

The 24-year veteran of the police force, Auapa'au was confirmed last week by Cabinet as the new head of the country's constabulary from seven applicants.

His appointment comes almost a year after the resignation of the last Commissioner, Fuiavailiili Egon Keil.

Fuiavailili handed in his resignation letter to the Minister of Police, Prisons and Corrections Service,Faualo Harry Schuster this morning.

“My current contract was extended by the previous government to assist with the transition of the Government after the General Election,” he said in a statement.

He said last week, they welcomed the new Minister of Police, Prisons and Corrections Service and with the transition completed, he has decided that his time of service has come to its conclusion.

Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil said he received a letter signed by the caretaker Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) member for Faleata West, Leala'ilepule Rimoni Aiafi.

Fuiavailili confirmed to RNZ Pacific the complaint related to FAST's impromptu swearing-in outside parliament on 24 May, which the Supreme Court last week ruled was not legal because of the Head of State's absence.

The complaint named FAST's leader and deputy leader, an MP who acted as Speaker and two of the parties legal representatives.

The lawsuit, which has been postponed several times by the court was filed by Suitupe Misa, who was wrongfully arrested at gunpoint at the Fugalei market two years ago.

The Samoa Observer said a Judiciary Settlement Conference had failed to reach a compromise so the full hearing will go ahead from 13 November 2017.

Mr Misa is suing the Minister of Police for a breach of statutory duty and the commissioner for an abuse of process.

Fuiavailili Egon Keil had faced 265 charges filed by the Ministry of Police in relation to fire arms and one of inciting murder.

But yesterday the Supreme Court withdrew all charges against him, citing insufficient evidence.

RNZ reports it was likely that the police commissioner would return to his job.

Keil was detained shortly after he reported to work this morning.

He was suspended from duties by Cabinet in August after he was charged with unlawful detention, perjury, providing false statements and disorderly conduct.

A statement from Cabinet dated August 18 said Cabinet has confirmed the suspension of Police Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil pending the result of charges filed against him in court.  

Fuiavailili Egon Keil had been charged with one count each of wrongful arrest, perjury, disorderly conduct, and providing a false statement to the Ombudsman.

RNZ reports the decision was made by the Prosecutor hired by the Attorney General.

Commissioner Keil was charged with one count each of wrongful arrest of a man at Fugalei market last year during an armed police raid, perjury, disorderly conduct, and providing false statement to the Ombudsman in a commission of inquiry which investigated a complaint on how the police had carried out the raid in a public place.

The Commissioner said he is happy the case is over and looking forward to return to work.