Police has launched an investigation into claims of alleged police brutality in the western division last month.

Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Itendra Nair says they have received reports from two individuals claiming they were allegedly assaulted by Police in Nadarivatu.

He says an independent investigation team has been appointed to investigate these claims.

“We do record statements of individuals who have reported these and we have medical reports done. That’s basically what we have done so far. We have recorded statements from individuals, we’ve had their medical report done.”

Nair says complaints against Police officers will be thoroughly investigated by the Force before its forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

“Our investigation is not only handled by the Police itself and after the investigation is done it is then sent to independent authorities such as the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to be able to look at it and see if there’s any loopholes in the investigation and they order us to go an investigate again, etc so its a very transparent and open manner in which we’re investigating.”

Nair says the Internal Affairs Unit have investigated police officers, laid charges and taken them to court for assaults and other crime.

Meanwhile, Lautoka Human Rights Lawyer Aman Singh says he will also file a separate complaint with the Police Commissioner after he gathers statements and evidence of claims by nine youths of Police brutality.

He says the alleged incident occurred in Nadarivatu last month.

Singh claims nine Police Officers apprehended the youths at Waikubukubu Village and took them to Nadarivatu Community Police Post on January 26th.

He says the youths were tortured by the officers while they were interrogated on marijuana cultivation.

Singh claims the officers also attempted to rape one of the youths.

He’s expected to file the complaint next week.