Tonga police investigate abuse

Transcript

The police in Tonga are investigating a video posted online that appears to show a police officer repeatedly punching and kicking a boy at a rugby game.

The video was posted to facebook this week, and comes less than a month after police officers were imprisoned for the manslaugther of New Zealand constable Kali Fungavaka.

Tonga's Police Commissioner, Grant O'Fee, says the officer that's allegedly involved has been identified.

Grant O'Fee told Leilani Momoisea the matter is being taken very seriously, and says it will take a long time to combat the culture of violence within the Tonga police force.

GRANT O'FEE: We've made it very plain to our staff that this behaviour is not tolerated. Smowhere between thirty and forty officers in two years - not all for acts of brutality but many have been. And we will continue to do that. when these things are brought to us, we act on them and we will continue to do that. But we're also trying to develop the very good, decent officers that we have in the Tongan police, and there are many of them, to continue to behave decently and with respect towards the people of Tonga. And to get that change in the way our officers behave and, I hate the word, the culture in our organisation, is going to take years and years and years. It won't happen in weeks or months, it will take many years. I guess it's just not the time to lose our nerve. We just have to keep on doing what we have been doing and the change will come, but it will take time.

LEILANI MOMOISEA: Does this show evidence of a culture of violence in the police in Tonga?

GO: Yes it does. I would be a fool to say otherwise. we've had enough incidents in the last two years since I've been here to reveal that there is certainly an issue. It's not with all our officers. some of them are very decent young men and women doing a difficult job the best way they can. But there is a definite problem, there's no denying it, and I'm the first to admit it and the first to admit we've got a long way to go. But we are doing the things that we have to do to address it. And as I say, that is to make it absolutely clear that offenders will be brought to account and punished. And then trying to encourage our NCOs and leaders to show some moral courage to address these incidents when they happen and before they happen.

Grant O'Fee says they are appealing to anyone who witnessed the alleged assault to contact police.