A new CCTV system has been installed at the Nuku'alofa Central Police Station to ensure the safety of prisoners and staff, the result of a review conducted after the death of a New Zealand Police officer Kali Fungavaka who was fatally injured in custody in August 2012.

The Acting Police Commissioner ‘Unga Fa’aoa said the live CCTV feed now covers the whole station, including the watch-house and the prison cells.

He said the Tonga Police review of the Central Station watch-house determined the areas which could be improved. Two recommendations for immediate attention included the need to improve the policy and governance framework on custodial practices and the central CCTV system, which includes an advanced integrated security and CCTV networked system throughout the watch-house to offer safer environment for staff and prisoners.

Policy and governance has been strengthened and training of staff in the new procedures would start soon, he said.

The CCTV system equipment was supplied and installed by a local Tonga company, Praesidia Alliance Ltd.

The project was funded under the Tonga Police Development Program, a trilateral arrangement between Tonga Police, New Zealand Police and the Australian Federal Police which focuses on developing leadership and building an efficient and effective policing service that has the trust and confidence of the community.