Police chief acknowledges TSI’s article on One Link Pacifica missing $300k

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) acknowledges the Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) media article published on the Onelink Pacifica missing cash exhibits on 20 June 2021.

It says Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) points of concern are very true in which they have raised that the Police officer suspected of stealing the exhibit money should be dealt with immediately and face the court.

Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau says the matter is being investigated by the RSIPF Professional Standard and Internal Investigations (PSII) – with the file is yet to be submitted to the Office of the Director Public Prosecution (DPP) for reviewing of the case. He adds whilst reports are being compiled, there are also outstanding submissions which investigators are also following up once completed the case file will be submitted to the DPP.

However, Mangau said to suggest that the officer had stolen the exhibits money at this stage was still un-clear as it is a matter for the investigation to prove it in due course.

Mangau also confirms that the officer is not left freely at the moment but is on half pay suspension following the discovery of the missing exhibit money.

In the article, TSI highlights that the officer should have been charged and sent behind bars for stealing the $300k exhibits.

In response to the statement Mr Mangau says, “To send any person behind the bars or have them before the courts of law, we need facts and evidences to be able to achieve these.” He adds: “A strong case or enough evidences are needed. The Police Officer is subjected to face the law at the right timing and not the timing we assumed.”

He says: “My office is addressing ill-discipline officers within the RSIPF. There are number of suspended officers are being dealt with on discipline issues. There are a number of officers also being terminated as a result of their cases have gone through the courts and the Tribunal hearings.”