Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Pio Tikoduadua stresses that the Fiji Police Force will only be allowed to handle firearms if the information received confirms arms will be involved.
Tikoduadua highlighted this when questioned on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan on the RFMF Commander’s message during the Ministry of Home Affairs Talanoa Session on Illicit Drugs and Substance Use Disorders in Fiji at FNU Nasinu, where the Commander proposed the utilization of firearms as a deterrent and means of enhancing security measures in tackling the drug crisis.
Tikoduadua says at the moment, they have an arrangement with the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, which is on standby to assist the Police.
The Minister says the law allows Police to be armed, but they need to ensure that our officers are ready.
He adds that many things are associated with drugs, and one of them is weapons, and they run the risk of the Police getting confronted with that situation.
The Minister also agreed that the issue of drugs is a national crisis, and the whole nation needs to work together to eradicate this issue.
Tikoduadua also highlighted that before we can eradicate the issue of drugs from the country, the primary institution of government that deals with law enforcement has to be professionals.
He says the Police Force is there for people’s protection.
