The Tonga Police need to win back the trust and confidence of the public after the homicide death of Kali Fungavaka in Nuku'alofa had tarnished the Police's reputation both locally and internationally, the Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano told the 43rd Commissioned Officers two-day Annual Conference.

Lord Tu'ivakano who is also Acting Minister of Police in opening the conference this morning, said its theme "Public Confidence" was timely and relevant.

About 40 commissioned officers from Tongatapu, and the outer islands are attending the conference held from October 25-26, at the Tonga National Council of Churches Center, Vaololoa.

"I am glad that you are revisiting working procedures to identify what works well and what does not. It is only through honest and frank assessment of those current practices and willingness to embrace changes that we will be able to move forward," he said. "Do not become a victim of doing nothing but become a victor of doing the right thing".

Lord Tu'ivakano said he was glad that with the good leadership of Police Commissioner Grant O'Fee and the support of all commissioned officers at the conference they were able to rise above this incident.

"Government relies on the police to achieve its objective of a safe, secure and stable society by maintaining law and order," he said.

He thanked the Governments of Australia and New Zealand for their support through the Tonga Police Development Program, in providing advisors to assist with the development of the Tonga Police.

"I anticipate some good results out of this conference and look forward to the Commissioner's report," he said.

Public

Commissioner O'Fee said the Tonga Police had experienced a difficult few months with the homicide of Kali Fungavaka.

He said it was important that they dealt with that and they had taken some significant steps while looking at other things they had to do to get the public trust and confidence back in the police.

"Without the public trust and and confidence in us, everything we do is nothing  - be it traffic, resolving crimes or domestic violence response. Everything we do is to contribute to that goal of public trust. And if we can do those things right we can achieve it."

He told his officers it was important for them to listen to what people said because that was the most important thing in front of them right now. The conference would include guest speakers who would give their frank opinions on how the public sees the police.