Consultations begin on the Police Bill 2020

You can now give your submissions on the Police Bill 2020 as the nationwide public consultation on the draft bill was launched this morning.

The online consultation has already started while the face to face consultations will begin from next Monday.

Under this amendment, every Police officer shall be deemed to be on duty at all times and may at any time be called for duty in any part of Fiji.

It states that any search warrant required during an enquiry may be issued by any police officer or above the rank of Assistant Superintendent.

Minister for Defence and National Security says the current Police Act is archaic and needs to be updated.

Seruiratu says the bill aims to provide additional enforcement powers for police to address new forms of crime, provide legal powers to use modern technological aids to combat complex and organized crimes and institute deterrent penalties.

He says while policing functions have remained resolute and constant over the years, the criminal landscape has changed drastically and police are now tasked with enforcing laws that are aligned to new and emerging challenges.