A MAGISTRATE has raised concern over continued lack of police vehicles to execute arrest warrants and serve summons on accused persons.
Principal Magistrate Tearo Beneteti made the remarks after issuing a warrant of arrest for an accused in a domestic violence case who failed to appear in court this week.
She issued the warrant and adjourned the matter to November 3 for review of the warrant’s execution.
Magistrate Beneteti reminded Police Prosecutor Iete Tebakota who mentioned the case to follow up on the warrant and raised her concern about the frequent “excuse” of vehicle shortages.
She said police often tell the court that they are unable to execute warrants or serve summons because they have no vehicle available.
Magistrate Beneteti questioned Tebakota about the situation, saying she had seen multiple reports of new vehicles being donated to the Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIPF).
“I have seen a lot of news about police receiving vehicles,” she said. “So, when we hear in court that there are no vehicles, we are confused.”
She added that at one stage, the Police Commissioner had publicly stated that police should not worry about fuel or spare parts as everything was being taken care of by the police “organization.”
“For this reason, I do not go easy on police when warrants or summons are delayed or not executed,” she said.
“Police have assured the public they have vehicles but when action is needed on the ground, it is different. This raises concern.”
It is for this reason, Magistrate Beneteti said that they sometimes feel like striking off cases until police show they mean business by using police vehicles to bring accused persons to court and complete the case.
She said it does not make sense when police prosecutors say they need to arrange with another police team to execute a warrant when the force already has many vehicles.
“Vehicles should b ready at all times. Whenever there is a court order, the vehicles must be used to carry it out.”
She further reminded police that under section 58 of the Magistrate Court Act, all police officers are bound to obey court orders and must act on them.
“That means you don’t have a choice – when there is a court order, you act. That is your duty”, she told Tebakota.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
