Crime
Ex police officer brings back private investigation services
Saturday 29 June 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Crime, Features, Go Local, Local, National, Weekend
A 51-year-old former police intelligence officer of 15 years, Allan Rua, is transitioning his skills and abilities to a private investigation service, a first on the island after many years.
Ambulance officer sounds alarm on ‘surging’ dog crashes
Wednesday 26 June 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Crime, National
Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health is experiencing a rise in emergency department cases resulting from dog-related road crashes.
PM pledges return of community policing to tackle ‘rising crime’
Tuesday 25 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, Local, National, Parliament
Prime Minister Mark Brown, who is also the Minister for Police, says he will ensure the re-establishment of community police to tackle the rising crime rate in Rarotonga.
PM Brown: ‘Police portfolio is under my responsibility and I take that very seriously’
Monday 24 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, National, Parliament
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown will retain control of the Police portfolio despite a request from another Minister and will focus on improving police standards and staffing.
Minister Angene makes ‘humble request’ for Police portfolio to address youth crime
Friday 21 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, Local, National, Parliament
Minister for Corrective Services George “Maggie” Angene has asked Prime Minister Mark Brown to consider giving him the Minister for Police portfolio.
Rarotonga burglaries on the rise as businesses targeted
Wednesday 19 June 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Business, Crime, National
Burglaries are spiking in Rarotonga with two more break-ins reported yesterday by Vili’s Burger Joint in Matavera and Next Shipment in Arorangi.
Weekend burglaries target businesses and government agencies
Tuesday 18 June 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Crime, National
A string of burglaries has caused a major concern for Cook Islands Police, adding pressure to their staffing capacity, a spokesperson said.
Five crashes in one weekend
Tuesday 18 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, National
Weekend driving on Rarotonga continues to be a hit or miss game of carelessness or drunkenness, says Cook Islands Police.
Second month in a row: Rarotonga sees surge in stolen motorbikes
Thursday 13 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, National
Cook Islands Police have recorded another ‘blow out’ month in motorcycle theft cases after 15 were reported stolen last month.
Alarming rise in motor vehicle crashes
Wednesday 12 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, National
Cook Islands Police said an average of one motor vehicle crash per day was reported in May after recording 28.
Elderly driver injured in road rage assault
Friday 7 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, National
An elderly driver sustained a serious facial injury after being allegedly assaulted by another driver in a road rage incident on Wednesday afternoon.
Tourists injured in motorbike crash
Thursday 6 June 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Crime, Local, National
A pair of tourists sustained injuries in a motorbike crash at the Nikao Seawall on Tuesday night, police reported yesterday.
Locked bikes targeted in recent thefts, Police say
Wednesday 5 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, National
Police are suspecting that motorbikes that have been stolen in Rarotonga are part of an organised unlawful activity.
Driver blames sleep for early morning crash in Tupapa: Police
Tuesday 28 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, National
Police are investigating a car crash that occurred early yesterday morning in Tupapa. The car collided with a power pole along the main road.
Top cop ‘retiring’
Saturday 25 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, Local, National
Cook Islands will be searching for a new Commissioner of Police as the incumbent, Turepu James Keenan, is not seeking a second term.
Careless driving, high blood alcohol leads to $5000+ bill
Friday 24 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, National
Three drink drivers were sentenced in Avarua court, with one ordered to pay a hefty reparation for damaging a power pole.
Decision on top cop delayed as force faces staffing crisis
Monday 20 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, Local, National
The decision on renewing the Cook Islands Police Commissioner’s contract has been further delayed amidst concerns about a major staff shortage in the force.
Cops in crisis: Cook Islands Police understaffed by 30-40 officers
Saturday 18 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Crime, Local, National
Cook Islands Police face staffing shortages due to budget cuts and uncompetitive remuneration, prompting a restructuring effort to improve recruitment and retention.
‘Showing off to get attention’: String of juvenile crimes raises concerns
Tuesday 14 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, National
Showing off to get attention is one reason juveniles are misbehaving, not just in Rarotonga, but worldwide, says men’s counselling organisation, Te Punanga Oraanga Matutu (TePOM).
