Four Police officers suspended for drinking on patrol [1]
Friday, February 7, 2020 - 14:25
Four police officers have been suspended from duty on February 5, for drinking alcohol while patrolling in the Nuku'alofa area.
Commissioner of Police Stephen Caldwell said today, two on-duty police officers were suspended for drinking alcohol while patrolling in a police vehicle on Sunday, January 19.
They then picked up two off-duty police officers to continue drinking while on patrol.
Commissioner Caldwell said, the public rightly expects the highest levels of professionalism and ethical behaviour from their police officers.
“There is absolutely no tolerance for unlawful and ill-disciplined behavior. Every police officer is accountable to the law, not above it,” he said.
“We have seen a significant reduction of crime and road toll from good work by good police officers working with the community, and I will not tolerate having their reputation sullied by the actions of a few.”
Since 2015, Commissioner Caldwell has suspended 50 police officers from police duty.
Thirty-three officers were suspended for criminal offences and seventeen for disciplinary matters.
“Standards have been set and I expect them to be met,” he said today.