Naivalurua feels guilty over police challenges as Nand calls for reforms

Minister for Policing Ioane Naivalurua says he has come back from his recent visit to Kadavu feeling guilty after looking at where the police officers were deployed, where they stayed, what they ate, the equipment they wore and says he felt that they could do more.

While speaking during the debate on the Fiji Police Force 2020-2021 annual report, Naivalurua acknowledges that the most difficult part of any organization such as the Police Force is equipment and looking after the men and women at the front line.

The Minister has assured the Parliament that he is working very closely with the Commissioner of Police to deal with the issues.

Naivalurua says this year’s budget has increased police funding by $13.5 million, which will add 1,000 new officers in two phases while other priorities include strengthening border protection through new container examination facilities, expanding the canine unit, and a dedicated Narcotics Bureau.

Opposition MP Joseph Nand is calling on the Fiji Police Force to strengthen its internal oversight and integrity frameworks.

Nand suggests that the officers deployed at the police post should be from different areas or districts so that they can carry out their work without any hindrance or help or hesitation.

 Nand also highlighted that officers in Lautoka and Rakiraki are paying out of pocket for duty travel and severe infrastructure issues such as an overflowing sewer line at the new Nadi Police Station and the Sigatoka post operating from an unhealthy container.

He says these conditions damage the image of the Force and hinder effective policing.

The MP adds the success of the Fiji Police Force depends on the Parliament honouring the Force with the resources it needs and only then they can ensure every officers honours their oath and then the rule of the law is applied equally to all.

Acting Attorney General Siromi Turaga says the review of the 1965 Police Act has been pending for two decades and is one of the positive steps this government has taken.

Turaga further says that while officers work tirelessly to disrupt drug networks, investigate serious crimes, and keep our streets safe, real and lasting change requires everyone to act.

He says it requires families raising children with strong values, schools and churches reinforcing discipline and responsibility, communities taking ownership of their neighborhood, speaking up when they see wrongdoing, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the force in the fight against crime.