Minister of Police and Prisons Lefay Harry Schuster has confirmed there are close to 10 civil lawsuits filed with the Ministry since the new administration took office.
At the moment, the Attorney General’s office is reviewing and settling most of these cases which are mainly “unlawful dismissals”.
He said during an interview with Radio Polynesia, some of the dismissals were warranted by the “previous administration” but not all.
Adding that those decisions are costing the government monies, which of course comes out of taxpayers pockets, said the Minister.
He confirmed Police Commissioner and AG are going through these lawsuits on a case by case, but as indicated earlier, some of these Police Officers that had their services terminated were warranted, and that other cases have merit.
“Therefore Cabinet is left with no choice once the recommendation comes from AG’s office to pay a settlement, they will endorse it,” he said.
Earlier this month, Cabinet approved a settlement of close to $40,000 tala for Police Officer Lefiu Aina Fono over his unlawful dismissal from the Ministry of Police and Prisons back in 2019.
The settlement was for his backpay.
Lefiu was charged with manslaughter back in August 2019 and a year later the charge was withdrawn in court due to the lack of evidence.
He then filed a lawsuit against the Police, and the amount of the settlement agreement was approved by Cabinet last month.
