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Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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Assault claims have
forced a senior police officer in an elite emergency squad to stand down. South Auckland senior
sergeant Anthony (Tony) Solomona, who is married to a judge, has been off
duty for about a week since the police department started investigating
claims he assaulted five complainants. Police management are
sensitive about the matter because Solomona is a senior officer and his wife
is the country's first female Pacific Island judge, Ida Malosi. She deals
with youth court matters and has been based at the Manukau District Court
since she was sworn in almost two years ago. Counties Manukau
district commander superintendent Steve Shortland yesterday confirmed
Solomona was being investigated over complaints he used excessive force. He said the complaints
allegedly happened "on the job" and involved five male complainants
in different incidents this year. When asked if the
alleged injuries were serious, Shortland said the men claimed they were
harmed and this was why they had complained. "It is serious
enough that he has been stood down," said Shortland. The superintendent
hoped the investigation would be finished "as soon as possible" and
he would report the outcome. But until then, "it would be improper for
me to comment further". In the meantime,
another senior officer was relieving in Solomona's position at the Emergency
Response Unit, which responds to 111 calls in South Auckland. Solomona could not be
reached for comment last night. |
