POLICE Commissioner Frank Prendergast said the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) will not tolerate corrupt activity.
He was referring to the suspension of the acting Provincial Commander of Guadalcanal Province Superintendent Clement Marigeni over alleged receiving of bribe.
Mr Prendergast confirmed Marigeni’s suspension and he’s being charged with a corruption related matter.
He however, said since the matter is now before the court he cannot say more because everyone is entitled to presumption of innocence.
“But I would like to say more generally that the RSIPF won’t tolerate corrupt activity,” Mr Prendergast said.
“I urged anyone who’s got information about corrupt activity to come forward,” he added.
“In this particular case in question what I can say is that it was reported by a RSIPF officer which is a pleasing thing and I think it shows the change in culture the RSIPF is undergoing.
“But we are working very hard to root out corruption in the RSIPF.
“Given the matter is before the court it would be fair for me to say any more than what I say.”
It was alleged Marigeni received $25, 000 from an Asian businessman to release some Asian nationals who were arrested by police last month.
Marigeni went and alleged tried to bribe his junior officers who dealt with the case offering them $5, 000.
But those officers however refused the bribe.
The Asians were claimed to be workers of the closed Cyber King Casino that was shut down by the Games and Lottery Board last month.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
