OC faces hitch during probes

 THE Ombudsman Commission says it has had to deal with uncooperative police commanders at regional and provincial levels while investigating police brutality complaints.

The Ombudsman Commission signed a Memorandum of Agreement yesterday with the police force to overlook investigations into police complaints.

“We have seen regional assistant police commissioners and provincial police commanders not cooperating and not supporting us in progressing some of the (police brutality) cases,” Acting Chief Ombudsman Phoebe Sangetari said. 

“We would like to see a change to that. Because it is good for your organisation that we assist you to restore accountability and integrity back to the force. 

“Right now the public has lost confidence in the police force. It is through this programme that the public is happy as they can see results. 

“We had this process since 2008 and we have seen its success.

“Financial constrains is also a major challenge.  AusAID has been helping in funding this programme and that funding will wind up at the end of this year and we hope that Ombudsman Commission and police will take up the funding next year. 

“We want to ensure that police conduct is at the high standard so that proper disciplinary process, whether criminal or administrative, is effectively been carried out”.