A young man from Toamua has spoken out about an alleged beating at the hands of police officers, saying he thought he was going to die.
Ene Pa’apa’a, 21, recalled being punched several times, getting knocked out and being dragged on the ground when he was unconscious.
He also told of how the officers used a rock during the beating on Sunday afternoon. When he spoke to the Samoa Observer yesterday, the young man was badly bruised from his face to his feet. He had scratch marks on his back.
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The crewmember of the Little Rina Fautasi said the incident happened when the Police were called to calm a dispute that arose among some men of the village who had been drinking alcohol.
He admitted that he threw a knife at a Police officer, which might have angered them.
“So I ran from the policemen,” recalled Mr. Pa’apa’a. “They caught me when I slipped in front of the pastor’s house and they started to throw punches, kicked me and another threw a stone at me.
“I got dragged and that is how I got scratches and open wounds on my feet.
“The last thing I remember was one policeman grabbing my head and punching it on the floor. I was knocked out and I only woke up to find myself at the hospital".
Mr. Pa’apa’a said he is lucky to be alive. Yesterday, he could barely move.
In admitting he was a bit too drunk, Mr. Pa’apa’a said he had no intention to cause trouble as they were only celebrating the Independence race.
Asked for a comment, Police Public Relations Officer, Su’a Muliaga Tiumalu, said he has yet to get a full report from the long weekend.
“I’ll look for the report,” he said.
“It was probably dealt with by Faleata (station) or Afega…But I will let you know after".
In the meantime, the Secretary of the E.F.K.S. from Toamua, A’atoe Tuatau, expressed his disappointment about the treatment of Mr. Pa’apa’a.
“The boy had sought help from the pastor’s house and yet they beat him up in front of the pastor and his children,” said A’atoe.
“In Samoa, when someone runs to the pastor’s house, they should be able to seek refuge there. The Police could have just grabbed the boy from the Pastor and taken him in to custody".
“Instead they proceeded to beat him up so badly in front of the our Pastor which we believe is not only wrong, it is extremely disrespectful".
“When people tried to intervene to make sure the boy was still alive, the Police warned them not to interfere. They said they were merely doing their work".
A’atoe questioned the sort of “work” they were doing.
“Does the Police work involve beating up unconscious people and dragging them like animals?
Does the Police work not take into account the traditional boundaries and respect? Are they licensed to hurt people that bad in front of other people?"
According to the Church Secretary, they will meet to discuss the incident and are taking the matter very seriously.
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