SIXTY complaints against police officers who allegedly forced confessions out of suspects were recorded between January and September this year.

The figure was revealed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police Isikeli Ligairi during the 18th Attorney General’s Conference in Sigatoka last week.

Mr Ligairi said with the introduction of video recording and first hour interview procedures that allow Legal Aid lawyers to speak with their clients, the number of police complaints were slowly declining.

He said changes had been experienced at the Totogo Police Station where the British High Commission and European Union-funded project was first introduced.

He said at the police station, only two complaints had been made against officers.

Mr Ligairi maintained the figure was expected to decrease further once the project was introduced to the rest of the country.

According to police, the project allows suspects arrested in Totogo Police Station to first meet their legal representatives before proceeding with the interrogation.

During the meeting with their lawyers, the suspects are reminded of their rights to counsel before being caution interviewed.