By Staff Writer
Police Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil is sick and is seeking medical treatment outside Samoa, it is as simple as that.
Anything else said differently on social media about the reason he will not be in the country for about a month is fake news.
This summed up the stern reaction from the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Papali’i Monalisa Tiai-Keti, to the misinformation being spread on social media about her sick boss.
One example is the suggestion that the Commissioner is being made to leave the country to prevent the police from making contempt of court arrests on the caretaker Government leaders.
“ Commissioner Keil has traveled to NZ to seek medical treatment that he is unable to receive here in Samoa.
“He would not be of any good to anyone if he is unable to carry out his duties due to complications with his health.
“Unfortunately God has given us one life therefore he has to ensure that he is able to live longer,” acting Commissioner Papali’i made very clear.
Commissioner Fuiavailili and his Ministry of Police are among the favourite targets for political agitation on social media in the ongoing standoff between the political parties.
The Ministry has, however, remained firm and steadfast to its enforcement commitment against the barrage of social media attacks.
Commissioner Fuiavailili knows well enough before he left the difficult times the country is going through following general elections.
He is confident, however, of the professional duties the police will continue to provide.
Police investigation work, however, appears to have been extended to include politically related matters.
The illegal swearing-in by the FAST political party is one recent example.
Acting Commissioner Papali’i confirmed a Ministry taskforce set up to investigate complaints linked to the current political uncertainties including the ‘under the tent swearing-in’ by the FAST political party.
One question is whether a matter to do with legal interpretation of the Constitution could pose problems to normal criminal investigations the police are familiar with.
“ As with any police investigation it is a matter of collecting evidence to support a criminal charge.
“Importantly, with this type of complaint we will refer the investigation file to the Office of the Attorney General (our prosecutorial arm) for advice prior to laying any criminal charges.”
The pressure of added work load for the police picked up noticeably from the time the build up to the April General elections started.
The political standoff has, however, kept the demands on the call of duty going.