By Tevita Motulalo
THERE has been progress in addressing grievances voiced by a significant portion of Tonga Police to Cabinet about the leadership of Police Commissioner Chris Kelley, as he has met with some of them to discuss their concerns and a way forward.
Last Tuesday he said it was unfair for members of Police to make accusations of him without revealing their identities.
“Its like dealing with phantoms,” he said to Tonga Chronicle, “I still don’t know who they are. Not one."
Kelley said to Tonga Chronicle it has been helpful that some of the petitioners surface to talk to him directly, last Thursday, yesterday, and another meeting pending for today.
He has received a full copy of the petition with the names signed to it, and that “Sergeants” have been the ones with the strongest feelings against his administration.
“I still don’t know who prepared it, or who is behind it, but I am heartened by the public support I’ve had,” he said.
Recently, leader of the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands ‘Akilisi Pohiva stated that politicians are behind the petitions.
“Well I’m not aware of that,” said Kelley, “And I would be disappointed if that was the case. I’ve had direct support from the Prime Minister. And the Police themselves, the majority of Police are behind our reform program and are willing to work with the changes.”
And he said, “Personal interests sometimes get in the way of objectivity, people spoke strongly because they felt they’ve been personally disadvantaged,” he said.
“But this is about change. And change is inevitable, whether its Chris Kelley or not,” he said.
He says he is the most senior member of Tonga Police, at the age of 60, yet he is more positive to the changes and reform than the petitioners.
Last week there were reports of a strike by petitioners, and that the military had been put on stand-by to maintain Law and Order.
Kelley said he had spoken to the Commander of the Military, Brigadier-General Tau’aika ‘Uta‘atu.
“I had a discussions with the Brigadier but I certainly did not ask for the military to be on standby,” he said.
“But I give the pubic my assurance the service will not be lessened by this,” he said.
He said the regulations in the old law are still in place, “and so does merit based promotion,” and new regulations are yet to be in place.
After days of receiving the petitions Cabinet directed it to be addressed by the internal mechanisms of Tonga Police itself.
“As the matters raised in the petitions are internal police matters and outside the purview of Cabinet, resolution of the petition will be dealt with by the established internal procedures of the Ministry of Police,” Cabinet said in a statement.
It continued, “The Government of Tonga acknowledges the work of Commissioner Christopher Kelley as well as the hard working professional men and women of Tonga Police for their dedication and unfailing devotion to duty.”
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