Govt increases funding for law enforcement for public safety, $1.6 million to support joint narcotics operations

To help maintain law and order and ensure the safety of all Fijians, the Government has allocated $226.5 million to the Fiji Police Force in the 2026/2027 National budget, with a key focus on filling around 400 vacant positions to boost its manpower.

Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel says the first phase of recruiting the additional 538 officers was completed in the 2025/2026 financial year, increasing the force's strength to more than 5,000 officers.

The Minister says $1.6 million has been allocated to support narcotics operations and the continued establishment of the Counter Narcotics Bureau.

For the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, the Government has allocated $152.6 million in the next Budget, with a key focus on strengthening Fiji's ability to combat transnational crime, particularly through its role in the Joint Counter Narcotics Task Force.

The Finance Minister says increased funding has also been allocated for maritime surveillance and border protection, including inter-agency coordination.