Police chief ‘not interested’ in debate

SUVA – Fiji’s Acting Police Commissioner says he won’t enter into a public debate with the recently resigned Assistant Commissioner of Police Henry Brown.

Fiji Village reports Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho has accepted Brown’s resignation and an investigation into his conduct will remain open.

Brown was sent on leave in December, after what Brigadier General Qiliho said was a “serious in-house matter”.

But Brown says the internal inquiry into the unspecified allegations against him is being conducted contrary to principles of good governance.

Brown was the director of intelligence and investigations, and in charge of the internal investigation into police charged with the rape of Vilikesi Soko in 2014, who died after allegedly being beaten while in police custody.

Brown says two of those men, Manasa Talala and Viliame Vereivalu, who appeared in court last week, are on the team investigating his own conduct.

Brigadier General Qiliho was appointed Acting Commissioner when the Commissioner Ben Groenewald resigned, citing interference by the military among other factors.

- RNZI