Police Commissioner, Sitiveni Qiliho is seriously concerned after people drinking alcohol allegedly assaulted 3 Police officers in 3 separate incidents in Korovou, Caubati and Nadi.
Last night an officer based at the Korovou Police Station was allegedly attacked and sustained injuries whilst attending a report of drunk and disorderly at Navuca Settlement, Burerua, Tailevu.
Police Constable Jiutasa Taiki was attending to the report with another officer when there was a commotion which resulted in the group of suspects arguing. PC Taiki tried to control the situation when someone picked up a rock and allegedly hit him on the back of his head.
Qiliho says the suspects who are all farmers from Naivicula in Tailevu were arrested early this morning after a team from the Police Special Response Unit and K9 were deployed to the settlement.
PC Taiki is recovering at his home.
In another case of serious assault, a 22 year old man residing in Caubati was arrested yesterday after he allegedly kicked and assaulted an officer who was attending to a report of causing trouble.
The police officer sustained minor injuries and is back at work.
Qiliho says the suspect has been charged with one count of serious assault and will appear in court tomorrow.
In the Western Division, a 25 year old woman of Nasoso, Nadi appeared in court yesterday after she had allegedly assaulted a woman officer last Saturday.
The accused was drunk and causing trouble when she committed the alleged offence.
All cases were alcohol related.
Qiliho says in the midst of COVID-19 and routine operations where officers have been working tirelessly to keep everyone safe these attacks will not be taken lightly.
