A police officer in Samoa, Constable Tuitagi Mamoe, is being held in custody ahead of his sentencing next month after being found guilty of assaulting a burglary suspect.
Tuitagi Mamoe will be kept in custody at Tanumalala prison until sentencing. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tipi Autagavaia
District Court judge Alalatoa Rosella Papalii delivered her verdict today, with a stern warning to police officers about acts of brutality.
The family of the victim had filed a complaint in February last year but Mamoe was only charged in April this year.
The court rejected the evidence of three police officers who gave evidence in support of Mamoe.
In her ruling, the judge said the defendant's witnesses not only lied under oath in court but breached the police code of ethics in order to cover up criminal action.