Economic crimes erode the pillar of accountability, transparency and integrity that hold institutions together and the strides of fundamental rights that define our very humanity include our right to justice, equal opportunities and speaking truth to power.
Assistant Commissioner of Police – Crime, Mesake Waqa highlighted this on behalf of the Government of Fiji, through the Acting Commissioner of Police at the opening of the Economic Crime Investigation Training facilitated by the Australian Federal Police’s Law Enforcement Program, at the Holiday Inn this morning.
ACP Waqa says he would like to offer their sincere gratitude to the Australian Government on its commitment to the Pacific Region on law and order with the partnership with the Australian Federal Police Law Enforcement Cooperation Program.
ACP Waqa says the Fiji Police Force has benefitted from this program which includes the Vuvale partnership that resulted in the improvement and upgrading of their operation, administration, and investigative capabilities to be on par with modern day policing with the use of science and technology together with capacity building.
He says this training could not have come at a better time with the new tone they have set to conduct their affairs.
ACP Waqa says the nation is currently grappling with the loss of resources at an alarming rate through illegal activities largely composed through illicit financial flows, tax evasion, corruption and computer related pilferage to name a few.
He says fighting economic crime is not easy at all levels as it is technically complicated and requires capacity, financial resources, and stakeholders’ engagement.
The ACP Crime says sometimes it is often politicised and needs to be approached with great caution.
He says crime cannot stop as it continuously evolves through this new era of sophisticated technology.
ACP Waqa adds in his work looking after criminal investigations, forensics, narcotics, prosecutions, he has developed a philosophy for officers to adopt three principles.
He says they must be smart, skillful and steady.
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