Police plays a fundamental and significant role in the criminal justice system – Acting Chief Justice

Acting Chief Justice Kamal Kumar says Police officers play a fundamental and significant role in our criminal justice system.

While speaking to Police officers at the opening of the Fiji Police Force Command Group Retreat, Acting Chief Justice Kumar says our justice system is like a chain with various links and the chain link starts with Police, then joins with the Office of the DPP, Fiji Corrections Service, and the courts.

He says with the theme of improving service delivery through Innovation, Networking and Cooperation, the retreat will improve and enhance policies and guidelines put in place by the Police Command Group to ensure the system of justice is enforced and implemented efficiently and diligently without fear, ill-will, or favor.

Acting Chief Justice Kumar told the officers they collect evidence, contact witnesses and lay charges if evidence calls for it.

He adds prosecution then runs cases on the basis of evidence collected by the investigating officers and that’s why their role as Police officers is important in the justice system.

He also singled out that certain officers tend to ignore such policies which reflect badly on the force.

The Acting Chief Justice says government has taken fundamental steps to ensure everyone has the right to access to justice.