Conference looks at future directions of policing in Tonga [1]
Tuesday, October 11, 2011 - 18:39. Updated on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 - 09:54.
LOOKING at the future directions of Policing in Tonga is the theme of a Tonga Police, Prisons and Fire Services 42nd Commissioned Officers Annual Conference held from October 11-13, at the Tonga Police Headquarter at Longolongo.
Attended by over 60 commissioned officers from throughout Tongatapu and the outer islands of Vava'u, Ha'apai, 'Eua and the two Niuas, the conference follows a Government reshuffle of some Ministerial posts, including that of the Minister of Police, on September 1.
Hon Lisiate 'Akolo a former Minister of Labour became the new Minister of Police replacing former Minister of Police Hon Dr Viliami Latu, now Minister of Tourism.
Meanwhile, Deputy Police Commander Taniela Faletau remains as Acting Commissioner of Police, since the early departure of former Police Commissioner Chris Kelley on August 6 after Government chose not to renew his contract.
New minister
The Minister in his keynote address, said since taking up the position on September 2 he had asked that a conference be held because he was new and he wanted to hear what are concerns they have.
He said on the agenda is looking at the Tonga Police Strategic Plan 2009-13, Tonga Police Development Program, a successful program funded by Australian and New Zealand Governments. The conference would also look at investing in the redevelopment of staff and resources, its budget and that of general policing services.
He said that one important issue on the agenda for discussion was the Tonga Police Act 2010. Since the new Tonga Police Act was passed last year and implemented this year there had been some differences in regards to it as well as grievances, he said.
The conference has invited some of the people who took part in drafting the law to speak at the conference.
"I hope this conference would untangle the twists and nobs so at the end we would conclude in good spirits and achieve results that serves our motto and the basis of our policing work, which is that we work as servants to the public and our respect to our king," he said.