It has been revealed that the Acting Police Commissioner Leiataua was not informed of a patrol, as investigations have started into the death of Sergeant Evile Paulo Ekueni.

The police officer drowned while on duty after going overboard from a semi-inflatable police patrol boat.

Prime Minister La'aulialemalietoa Leauatea Schmidt said the captain of the Nafanua III did not inform the acting commissioner of police that a patrol would be conducted on the day of the incident.

"As I've said before, when the incident occurred, the police officer who drowned did not have a life jacket on him," he said.

"The captain of the Nafanua did not inform his superiors that a patrol would be conducted despite the bad weather.

"The government has lost an asset just because of the lack of communication and not going through the process within the Ministry of Police." 

The outcome of this investigation will be made known next Wednesday.