Officers trying to reconcile cases of domestic violence is still a concern - Ali

Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre Coordinator Shamima Ali says they still encounter a number of police officers who try to reconcile cases of domestic violence despite the no drop policy.

Ali says the perpetrators in these cases are either friends of the officers or the officers are themselves accused of domestic violence.

She says because of this, most of the women begin to feel that they cannot get assistance from police.

She has also raised concerns that some officers who are under investigation for domestic violence are still working in the force but according to the law they should be suspended pending investigations.

When questioned by Legend FM News, Police Spokesperson Ana Naisoro says the issue had been raised by the Centre previously and that is why they have had a number of meetings.

Naisoro says they have advised the Centre to let them know and the Chief Operations Officer would deal with the matter immediately.

She says officers have been disciplined for such incidents as the senior hierarchy did not want the victims to be further victimized because of officers reconciling reports.