The Commander of RAMSI Participating Police Force (PPF), Denis McDermott, has expressed his disappointment that the RAMSI police officer injured in the recent fatal car accident has refused to cooperate with the Solomon Islands Police.
The police officer, who is from Samoa was a passenger in the vehicle and is currently undergoing treatment for serious injuries in a Brisbane hospital.Mr. McDermott said while the Government of Samoa and other relevant authorities continued to work closely with RAMSI to achieve a just and appropriate outcome, he was disappointed that a member of the Participating Police Force had declined to be interviewed by the SIPF.
The officer, who has not been named, refused last week to be interviewed by a senior detective sent to Brisbane by the SIPF as part of their investigation into the fatal accident.
"While it is the right of any person to decline to be interviewed, I am personally disappointed that a PPF officer has chosen not to assist the investigation and it is not helpful," Mr. McDermott said.
However the commander said that he still had every confidence that despite this set back the SIPF would soon complete their investigation.
Mr. McDermott said his heart went out to the family of the deceased, Ms Hilda Ilibae,
a 26 year old nurse who was killed in the accident.
"I have met with the family of the late Hilda on several occasions and I know they are wanting answers to their questions, as we all are."