COMPOL orders probe after family alleges youths were removed from home, relatives threatened in Nabitu Village

The Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu has directed the Internal Affairs Unit to investigate the allegations of misconduct made against police officers attending to a report in Nabitu Village in Tailevu last night.

This comes as a concerned family member alleges that Nausori police officers mishandled a situation in their village after a child was accused of stoning a home.

He says the officers reportedly forcefully removed his two brothers from their home without proper investigation or evidence.

The man says the situation escalated when a younger brother attempted to film the incident, prompting threats and verbal abuse from the officers.

He says one of the officers allegedly said in the iTaukei language “do not take a long time to talk or else your family will carry your dead body”.

He says when his mother was triggered by what he said, another officer, who he went to school with barked back at her saying "shut up or she will also be involved in the same issue.”

The man claims the officers deleted the video of the incident from his brother's phone.

He asks that in the wake of all that is happening and with these kind of policemen walking our streets, who are we going to turn to when we need help and what is going to curb the issue of police officers abusing their powers.

He says the whole police force is not rotten, it is just a handful of them that throw their weight around.

While responding to questions by fijivillage News, Tudravu says the allegations are concerning as it undermines current efforts of winning trust and confidence of members of the public.

He says at a time when they are trying to regain trust and confidence, these sorts of allegations put a dent in their efforts.

The Commissioner says police officers have been constantly reminded that they need to do better, and they can, by getting back to the heart of policing and serve with integrity and professionalism at all times.

The Acting Director Internal Affairs has been directed to look into the matter and provide a report to the Commissioner's office as soon as possible.