SIX police officers based at the Namaka Police Station in Nadi have been charged in relation to the death of Richard Mock.

The charges come after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) handed the case file to police on Friday, prompting immediate arrests.

Richard Mock’s mother, Seraphine Mock, said the development represented a step toward justice although the emotional toll remained.

She said she was informed of the charges by Criminal Investigation Department officers.

“I’m going there (Nadi Magistrate’s Court) tomorrow (today) to see the faces of the men,” Mrs Mock said.

She described the past year as deeply painful for her and her family, noting her son was 35 years old and a father of three children.

Four of the officers, all in their 20s, have been jointly charged with one count of manslaughter arising from a breach of duty.

A fifth accused, a 57-year-old retired police officer who left the force days after Mock’s body was discovered, faces one count of accessory after the fact to manslaughter.

The sixth is a 33-year-old police officer charged with one count of manslaughter.

A seventh suspect is a police officer now based in Lau, with arrangements underway to bring him to Nadi.

The six accused are scheduled to appear in the Nadi Magistrate’s Court today.