Police are saying that they have a man in custody who was drunk, incapable and resisting arrest however the man’s sister is claiming that he was allegedly assaulted by a Police officer during the arrest.
Police spokesperson, Ana Naisoro says they were responding to a call for assistance at a taxi base in Raiwai as a man was drunk and incapable after 10 o’çlock this morning.
When police responded, Naisoro says the man had allegedly resisted arrest which resulted in a confrontation with the arresting officer where his uniform was torn.
She says the officer continued in his attempt to arrest the suspect and was assisted by other police officers who were passing by in another vehicle.
Naisoro says the man was eventually arrested and taken into custody at the Raiwaqa Police Station.
Acting Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu has now directed the Internal Affairs to conduct a separate investigation into the claims made about the assault and actions of the arresting officers.
He assures the family that if there is evidence that officers abused their powers while effecting arrest, the officers responsible will be held accountable.
The man’s sister, Marisela Archibald has alleged in a live facebook video that her brother was assaulted by officers although he was cooperating with the Police and was willing to get into their vehicle.
She alleges that she was at the scene and her brother was drunk and was standing in the middle of the road. Archibald says she was trying to get him off the road.
The woman claims that instead of arresting her brother, the officer allegedly choked him and also kicked him.
She says her other brother tried to stop the assault and ended up punching the officer.
Archibald says when they were trying to stop the officer, he said they should not obstruct his work as he is doing his job.
While standing outside Raiwaqa Police Station, she alleged that her brother was still being beaten up at the station.
Commission conducts independent verification
Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission Director, Ashwin Raj. [image: file]
The Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission says it will independently verify the claims made on social media.
Commission Director, Ashwin Raj says an investigation officer is already at Raiwaqa Police Starion conducting preliminary investigations.
Raj says the Commission is also liaising with the man’s sister who had put up the live facebook video.
Stay with us for developments.
