Two police officers have been suspended during an investigation into the second death in police custody at Mu’a Police Station, last Saturday. An inquest panel concluded yesterday that Feleti Manutahi Pouono of Lapaha died from suicide.

The body of the deceased was released to his family, at the conclusion of the inquest.

He was found dead in the prison cell at Mu‘a station on Saturday, 23 July 2022.

Magistrate Salesi Mafi chaired the inquest panel with the Lapaha District, Town Officers and independent members of the community. 

Officers suspended

Police Commissioner Shane McLennan said two police officers have been suspended from police duty on serious breaches of discipline charges, identified by the ongoing investigations into this matter. 

"The two officers from Mu'a station have been suspended as part of the conduct of the Tonga Police, Professional Standards Unit’s investigation process. This is a disciplinary investigation."

In addition, as a result of inspections conducted across the country, Police cells on Tongatapu except for those at the Central Police Station, Nuku’alofa are now closed, until further notice, he said.

"Since the only cells that have CCTV coverage within Tonga Police at this stage is the Police Watch house at Central Station, the use of CCTV is only one option being looked at in order to address the identified problems that we as Tonga Police need to fix,"

Tonga Police Senior Executive is also ensuring strong compliance with custody management processes, particularly at this time on the outer islands. 

Work structures and practices are being amended or redesigned to reinforce safety for both staff and custodians. 

The Commissioner said that a Review of a Custody Management Policy completes this week and a training schedule on relevant legislation, policy and human rights issues are set to run at each police station starting next week.