A petition calling for the removal of Tonga's Police Commissioner has been thrown out by Cabinet.
Taimi online says Cabinet has instead directed the Minister of Police to settle the matter internally.
The petition was signed by some police officers and was given to Cabinet and another petition to the Minister of Police, calling for the removal of Chris Kelley.
There were also lists of grievances about the way Commissioner Kelley ran the Police Department.
The Minister of Police, Viliami Latu, says Cabinet made the decision to return the matter to the Ministry to settle internally, and also according to the law, Cabinet has no power to accept or to decide on this petition.
Dr Latu also added that the petitioners took the wrong procedures in submitting the petition under the new Police Act.
The Minister met with Chris Kelley and staff following the Cabinet decision.
Commissioner Kelley thanked staff for attending and also thanked the Minister for calling the meeting to address the issues raised in the petition.
