Bethel Community refutes the police media statement on the police operation at Bethal village
Frank Short
Retired now enjoying writing books, articles and aiding charity causes in the Solomon Islands
20 March 2022
News published by the Solomon Star today says the Bethal Community in East Fataleka in Malaita Province has refuted a police media statement regarding the raid at their community on the early hours last Thursday, to arrest suspect Knoxly Atu.
Quote
Community members spoken to said what was released by the Police Commissioner in the media is far from the truth regarding the raid.
Villagers claimed the unprofessional way police conducted the raid angered the whole community to behave the way they did.
“Police fired tear gas on us first and that is a fact.”
“We only reacted when tear gas started affecting us, and yet the Police said our reaction is unprovoked.”
“If only they showed up in the daytime, and asked properly, we would have informed them that the person they wanted was currently away in a nearby village.”
“They attacked our community when the suspect was not even present at home,” the community members claimed.
One community member spoken to said the way police conducted the raid was provoking, confusing, and intimidating.?
Villagers are of the view that the PRT officers involved in the raid must have told lies to the Police Commissioner which is evident by his media response.
In the Police Commissioner’s issued statement regarding the incident, Mr. Mangau encouraged the community to lodge their complaint for further investigation.??
“If the community is not happy with the police actions of the PRT officers then the Professional Standard Internal Investigation (PSII) office is there to lodge your complaints for further investigation.”
It is unclear at this stage whether the community will raise their compliant through the PSII or not.
End of quote
Source – Solomon Star news.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
www.solomonislandsinfocus.com
?