Police cannot investigate allegations of police brutality from two weeks ago because the man involved did not lay a complaint before he returned overseas.
That confirmation came from Assistant Police Commissioner Fauono Talalelei Tapu after questions were raised by the Sunday Samoan.
A New Zealand-based Samoan, Fofoga Crichton, claims that he was punched and kicked in the face several times by police from Asau, Savaii, when he was visiting for a family funeral.
When he was first attacked he said he was knocked unconscious.
He alleged that three officers had came back for him after they first arrived at his family home to stop an argument between relatives.
He has returned to New Zealand but claimed that speaking out about the incident was his way of alerting the people of Samoa about the mistreatment of those in Police custody. Mr. Crichton at the time of the interview claims that this was the first time that he had experienced such treatment by Police. He has being living in New Zealand for the last seven years and returned for the funeral of his father.
He told the newspaper that he has not made an official complaint to the appropriate authorities regarding the alleged bashing from the officers.
And that is why Fauono said nothing can be done about the matter, as Mr. Crichton had not made an official complaint to the Professional Standards Unit of Police, nor is he in the country for them to follow up on the matter.
Instead “if he returns to Samoa and still wishes to lodge a complaint he is welcome to do this”.
Fauono said he was aware of the article published about Mr. Crichton’s experience.
Fauono said that he contacted the Assistant Police Commissioner in Savai’i and was informed that no one was aware of the claims by Mr. Crichton.
“His injuries could very well have been caused as a result of the family fight and he hasn’t lodged a complainant so we can’t investigate his claims.”
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Mr. Crichton did not confirm when he would next return to Samoa. The incident leading up to claims by Mr. Crichton occurred following a fight that erupted between family members.
On the day of the incident he and three other family members had gone out drinking.
He claimed he only had one bottle of beer.
The other three were intoxicated, he said. When they arrived home his older brother was unhappy about their drinking and started telling them off. This led to them being beaten by the older brother.
One of his cousins who was part of their drinking party was injured as a result of this.
While this activity was happening in front of their home, someone who worked at the hospital across the road from their home contacted Police.
When Police arrived they wanted to take the men to the Police station.
Mr. Crichton refused.
Instead he insisted that his cousin who was injured be taken into the house.
Police refused to listen, claims Mr. Crichton.
He said he wanted to take his cousin into the house to put on a shirt and then take him down to the hospital for medical attention.
“Eventually I told them if that was the case they should do their job and carry my cousin themselves into their vehicle.
They left then with the other three while I headed for a shower.
He also said that as a result of his frustration told the Police to watch their heads or he might cut them off since they were on his family property.
Mr. Crichton said he was also speaking out publically because “my treatment that night was uncalled for and completely unlawful”.
“I was concerned for my cousin who was unconscious on the ground.”
Later that night, the Police returned.
When he refused to get in the car, he was dragged in and driven away.
That ’s when the al leged brutality took place.
Asked if he has filed an official complaint, Mr. Crichton said no.
“I return to New Zealand tomorrow (today) and this is one of the reasons why I haven’t taken this bashing incident further,” he said.
But he said he spoke out publically for one purpose.
“My treatment that night was uncalled for and completely unlawful,” he said.
“How many other people are being treated this way?”
So far, no one else has complained to the media about police brutality.
However rumours of rough treatment have been widely talked about over the years.
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