A police constable who assaulted a youth during the Measina Festival in September is facing internal disciplinary charges, Acting Police Commissioner Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga has confirmed.
Leiataua said the officer had been transferred to a different division but had not been suspended.
“O le alii leoleo lena, o lea ua transfer i le isi itu o le auaunaga,” he said.
He said the young boy seen in the video did not wish to lodge a complaint, and the matter was being dealt with through the Samoa Police internal disciplinary process.
Leiataua says the officer faces internal disciplinary charges rather than criminal charges.
“Manatua o le victim e lē o mana’o e fai sana tagi, o le mafuaaga lena ua tuu mai ai i le matou disciplinary process..
“E mautinoa lava e leai ni moliaga, ona e le o manao iai le sa aafia, ae fai ana moliaga faaleoleo i lalo o amio taualoa.”
A video widely circulated on social media showed the police officer escorting the youth away from a crowd before striking him, causing him to fall to the ground.
Bystanders then rushed towards the youth and attempted to help him.
It is not clear what the youth had done to trigger the police constable’s harsh reaction towards him.
