'Officer was only doing his job': Police defend parking fine issued to Usamate

Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu has defended a traffic officer who issued a parking infringement notice to Opposition MP Jone Usamate, saying the officer was simply carrying out his duties.

Mr Usamate claimed in a Facebook post that he was fined while parked within the parliamentary precincts.

"Fined by the police for parking in the parliamentary precincts while doing my job. Parliament is a separate legislative arm of the state, and the police have no right to interfere with the separation of powers. The Minister and Commissioner must address this overreach," he wrote.

Responding to the post, Commissioner Tudravu said the officer had identified a traffic infringement and acted accordingly.

He said Mr Usamate, like any other citizen, could challenge the infringement in a court of law if he believed it had been wrongly issued.

The Police Commissioner said he stood by the officer's actions and urged anyone with concerns about the conduct of police officers to follow the proper complaints process.