Captain Tuiteci to be Charged

Police Commissioner Commodore Esala Teleni has finally spoken out in relation to the senior civil servant and military officer who will be charged with drunk driving and assaulting a police officer soon.

Commodore Teleni said Captain Seremaia Tuiteci was arrested last Friday.

He said it is also understood that Captain Tuiteci allegedly resisted arrest which led him to assault a police officer.

The Police Commissioner said for Captain Tuiteci to raise the allegation that police officers objected to working with military officers and that it was a personal attack, is farfetched and would be viewed by the police as a defensive allegation.

Commodore Teleni said the allegation is serious and undermines the good relationship already established between the two disciplined forces.

He said the police officers accordingly and the case against Captain Tuiteci would be dealt with.

However, Commodore Teleni stressed that the use of excessive force by the police officers will not be tolerated. He said an internal investigation has already started into the matter.

Captain Tuiteci remains under police guard at the CWM Hospital.

Assistant Police spokesperson Corporal Suliano Tevita confirms the senior civil servant is still admitted at the CWM after he complained of body pains and was escorted to the hospital.

Suliano confirms the civil servant, who is based at the PM's Office, drove his car at Macgragor Road on Friday night allegedly under the influence of liqour and failed to stop when police tried to stop him.

Police then later went to a Suva apartment and tried to arrest him when the civil servant is alleged to have assaulted a police officer.

The Public Service Commission is awaiting details from the police on the charges expected to be laid against Captain Tuiteci.

Permanent Secretary for PSC Taina Tagicakibau said she is aware of the situation that transpired over the weekend and it is serious.

However, she will have to wait for details from the police before she can comment on the issue.