The suspended Officer-in-charge of the Nafanua II patrol boat, Superintendent Taito Sefo Hunt, faces five charges of misconduct over the grounding of the $30million tālā vessel on Salelologa reef more than a month ago.
Deputy Police Commissioner, Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo told Samoa Observer that Taito is facing disciplinary charges to be heard before the Police Disciplinary Tribunal.
He said Taito was served this week with the charges and he has engaged a lawyer to represent him at the Tribunal adding the charges were not criminal charges.
Acting Police Commissioner, Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti, suspended Superintendent Hunt last week pending the result of an investigation into his role in the wreck.
The Patrol Boat was grounded after transporting officers to boost Police numbers during a vehicular rally around Savaii organized by the Human Rights Protection Party to highlight what they say was biased Supreme Court decisions against the Constitution.
An Australia government salvage team is enroute to help refloat and prepare the patrol boat for towing to Australia for repairs.
No date has been set for the Tribunal.
