A file containing information about one of three Police Officers implicated over the death of Hans Dalton at Tafa’igata Prison two years ago has been referred to the Commission of Inquiry.
This is what Assistant Police Commissioner, Fauono Talalelei Tapu, said when he was asked for an update about the matter.
“The files are with the Commission,” he told the Sunday Samoan.
The Commission he was referring to is the Commission of Inquiry into conduct of suspended Police Commissioner, Lilomaiava Fou Taioalo.
Fauono said he was unsure about what has become of the officer.
“I don’t know what happened to him,” said Fauono. “What I can say is that the files are with the Commission that is in progress at the moment so I can’t comment.”
He added: “The matter was during the time Lilo was the Commissioner.”
Two other Police officers were fired in February last year for neglecting their duty “in relation to Dalton’s murder.”
Dalton, a psychiatric patient was referred to Tafaigata prison for protective custody after he became aggressive with health officials not being able to control him at Moto’otua.
But he was found dead with his head in a 44-gallon drum of water at Tafa’igata.
Police had initially ruled that Dalton had taken his own life on Boxing Day.
Later, the Police charged a prisoner, Jonathan Patrick Crichton, with Dalton’s murder.
The Supreme Court found that Mr. Crichton was not guilty of the murder.
Last week, the Commission of Inquiry revisited Dalton’s death.
Asked in how he handled the case, Lilomaiava said that the officers “didn’t expect that a sick person from the hospital would be brought in”.
He also blamed an officer that was on duty for not asking for assistance.
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“As you know we don’t have special cells to lock up patients with mental needs.”
His response did not satisfy the Ombudsman, Maiava Iulai Toma.
Maiava questioned why none of the officers that were on camp at the prison were not alerted when the deceased called out for help.
“But look at the irony of the case, here’s a desperate man screaming out loud for help and no one was alerted,” Maiava said.
“The irony of it is that (from evidence) people mocked him and said things to him. What does this say about the leadership at the Police?”
Lilomaiava disputed this saying that Tafa’igata is not a peaceful place.
“It is full of angry people, unhappy people and different kinds of people. There is just no peace there.”
The Commission is scheduled to continue this week.
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