Another death reported while in custody Featured
25 July 2022. Tonga Police informed the public that another death has occurred in police custody.
The deceased, a 22-year-old male from Lapaha was overly intoxicated when he was arrested at around 5:15 pm on Saturday, 23 rd July 2022 from a petrol station at Lapaha, following a complaint and call for assistance from staff at the petrol station.
Police found the young man dead within hours in a police cell where he was placed, in circumstances indicating suicide.
“This is the second death in police custody in only a month,” Commissioner Shane McLennan states. “We need to fix our problems, so this will never happen again.
As an immediate response to these deaths in custody, I have ordered the following:
1. The Mua Police Cell is shut and is not to be used until further notice.
2. The investigations into all deaths in custody are to be a priority and if needed, further resources/investigators will be provided to assist the Professional Standards Investigators until these investigations are completed.
3. An inspection and assessment of all cells used by Tonga Police across the Kingdom is to occur today, Monday 25 July, followed by the consideration of options needed to remedy any deficiencies with a matter of urgency.
4. The Tonga Police Custody Management Policy is to be reviewed and updated this week.
5. Some in-service training on custody management and human rights, is to be provided to all frontline staff as a matter of priority.
”Investigation into this regrettable incident is underway, and an inquest will be held upon completion of the investigation.
