POLICE Commissioner Brigadier General Ioane Naivalurua says the police force did not do well in the first quarter of the year, a fact highlighted by the growing number of complaints against the force.
In a parade marking the end of the first quarter, Brig-Gen Naivalurua yesterday said complaints against police officers and their services were "a major concern to all of us".
He said while there was a reduction of 52 per cent in crime against women over the preceding quarter, and a reduction of 24 per cent in crime against children, the number of complaints against police officers was a major worry.
A police statement said while first quarter Key Performance Indicators — KPIs — had targeted a 17.5 per cent reduction in complaints and disciplinary offences against police officers, a 49 per cent increase was recorded.
"Complaints against the police simply means we failed to conduct ourselves like a police officer and behave accordingly," Brig-Gen Naivalurua told the officers.
"We did things we should not have done and we simply did not serve the people well."
Brig-Gen Naivalurua said some officers failed to complete reports, were dishonest in their investigations and did not provide feedback in a timely manner to those who complained.
While acknowledging the hard work and effort put in by the officers during the quarter, he challenged those present at the parade to do better.
"So that's a lot of hard work for us all, but I know it can be done.
"Some of us have behaved very well, acted accordingly and performed well in the last quarter but for those of us who have not done so, in the next quarter we must win our battles."
Other KPIs for the quarter included reducing crime against women by 10 per cent, establishing a National Crime Prevention Board and Review and reducing road fatalities by 70 per cent.
Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said the intention of the parade was for the commissioner to brief officers on their performance during the first three months of 2012.
"Let me start by saying we did not do that well in the first quarter," Brig-Gen Naivalurua said.
"The first quarter has seen progress and achievements of some of the force's Key Performance Indicators, however, there's room for improvement.
"So what shall we do in the next quarter? The focus will be on all of us.
"Each day you and I are able to produce the goods and work honestly."