1 Sep 2010

Police say sharing Samoan culture may be at heart of prison theft allegations

5:29 pm on 1 September 2010

Police in Samoa are investigating allegations its officers have stolen from inmates at the main prison at Tafa'igata.

They're also looking into allegations a senior officer made an inmate pregnant and arranged an abortion for her.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police Leaupepe Fatu Pula has told our correspondent in Apia Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia the sharing Samoan culture could be behind the alleged stealing.

"When police borrowed money from prisoners, prisoners also borrowed money from police officers, police officers also share their food with the prisoners, they share part of their food from their family with the police officers so according to the assistant commissioner this is the culture.'"

Our correspondent in Apia Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia