Results for Police and Crime

A seven-year-old boy died in a shooting incident at a residence in Ha'ateiho, Tongatapu, on Friday evening, 2 September. Tonga Police said children found a loaded .22 rifle in their family vehicle. The 40 year old father of the children has been arrested.

Three road fatalities were reported over the weekend, one on Tongatapu, where a child beside the road was hit by a swerving vehicle; and two young men died in a collision in Neiafu, Vava'u. Another person sustained severe injuries.

Police Commissioner Shane McLennan met with Neiafu Police staff on 11-13 August on his first visit to the outer islands. In a meeting with district and town officers, church leaders and school principals, the Commissioner raised the importance of Police being in tune with the community of Vava‘u by considering matters of importance to the general public.

Police officers has this month made safety reinforcement visits to schools on Tongatapu, after several complaints from concerned parents revealed incidents of suspicious men attempts to lure young children into their vehicles.

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.

An inquest is scheduled to be held on Thursday, 28 July over the death of a 22-year-old man in a cell at Mu’a Police Station. It is expected that details will be released relating to his identity and cause of death after.

A 20-year-old man was confirmed to have committed suicide in Ha’ano, Ha’apai over the weekend.

An inquest has ruled that the death of a 69-year-old man in a cell at the Mu'a Police station was a suicide.

A 69-year-old man from Lapaha who was detained in police custody at the Mu’a Police Station was found dead in a cell on Monday morning, 4 July. Police said circumstances indicated suicide.