Police issue warning

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 24 July 2017, 12:00AM

The Ministry of Police has warned members of the public as well as the National Health Services that it is illegal not to report crime.

The warning comes from Acting Assistant Police Commissioner, Sala’a Moananu Sala’a, following an incident where a 41-year-old man from Sa’anapu died of first-degree burns.

Sala’a said the incident occurred last month but the Police have only just found out about it.

 “The family of the deceased were sleeping when they were woken up by a loud scream,” said Sala’a. “When the family ran out to see who it was they saw the deceased running and screaming to his home wit his body on fire.

The family took him to the hospital but he later died.

According to Sala’a, the Police only found out after rumours spread about a man who was killed from burns.

 “The officers conducted their investigation and when approached the family, they were about to have a burial service,” he said.

“They stopped the family and approach the National Health Service about why they didn’t report the matter to the police when the deceased was admitted.

“A post mortem was conducted on Thursday to confirm the cause of death and the inquest for this matter will be on the 23rd of August.”

Sala’a said it is very important for the public to inform the Police about such matters.

“It’s important for the Ministry to know of these kinds of incident so that we can do our side,” he said.

“Not reporting suspecting crimes is illegal and anyone can be charged when the police find out.”

“So I urge the public as well as the National Health to work together with the Ministry of Police to ensure that we do our job especially when we are dealing with the lives of our people.

“We are here to serve and to protect the people.”

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 24 July 2017, 12:00AM
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