Editor,

I read with dismay the non-renewal of the Police Commissioner Commander Chris Kelley's contract (Matangi Tonga article: Cabinet reverses Police reform [2] 03 Aug 2011).

The way the current Police Minister has handled Commissioner Chris Kelley's contract, and the flimsy emotional reasons provided - makes one wonder if any expert advice (other than those lobbying him behind the scenes for personal reasons) was sought prior to his decision being made.

Often time's public perception is "everything" in this day and age. Following the destruction of Nuku'alofa on 16 Nov 2006, not only were any perceptions of Tonga being a "friendly island" destroyed in the ashes (together with perhaps archaic restrictive constitutions), but more importantly - was that overseas public perception of Tonga being a safe and stable destination was also decimated.

Since the appointment of Commander Chris Kelley, and based on public perception of his impeccable performance, he has been instrumental in restoring both local and overseas faith in local law and order - the foundation that must be laid before any society can talk prosperity.

Understandably, when any new change is implemented - there's always opposition, especially by those deeply entrenched in the old system. I acknowledge that a small disgruntled faction of the Police force who cannot handle change may have spoken out, but at the same time I still think the changes implemented through the work of Chris Kelley is exactly the kind of overhaul Tonga's law and order system required to move forward. What the Government could have done to smoothen the change process would have been to seek solid Change Management advisor(s) to work alongside and support Commander Kelley better since there were always going to be subtle barriers put up against him due to the fact that he is non-Tongan (i.e. subtle Tongan racism).

That the Police Minster has publicly announced his long-standing opposition to the new Tonga Police Act since its inception - is a giveaway statement one would only say if one believed they had the backing of: (i) the disgruntled faction of the Police force; and (ii) the current Parliamentarians who would like to get rid of Commander Chris Kelley for daring to investigate their illegal drug trafficking and unregistered firearms practices, i.e. it's more out of revenge rather than factual and performance-based.

For the lack of any other logical reason - one is tempted to also read in-between the lines that the current Government is simply politicking and wants to get rid of Commander Kelley since he was an appointment made by the previous Government. On the other hand, if the reason why Commander Kelley has not been reappointed is due to him turning 60, then I am so looking forward to those in Parliament and heading our civil departments over 60 as well being forced to retire shortly also, lol.

It is a shame that we seem to be slipping back to the old ways so quickly, to make decisions based on whim rather than facts, and to so quickly and recklessly start dismantling one of the few positive steps forward Tonga has made since 16/11.

Sincerely,

E.L. Saafi