Reform and Restructure will boost the number of officers to address emerging crime trends - Tudravu

As the overall crime rate increased by 23 percent last month compared to the same period last year, Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu says if the reform and restructure program was completed in 2022 they would have addressed the emerging crime trends.

He says they would have expected 7,000 police officers within the Force after the completion.

Tudravu says he is having discussions with Minister for Policing, Ioane Naivalurua regarding the completion.

The Commissioner says this would mean having adequate manpower to address the growing demands on policing.

He says since the program was not done, there are about 4,000 plus officers.

When asked about the numbers to call for complaints, the Commissioner says they can call the Command Centre and 917.

He says these are some of the areas that they need to reinforce and strengthen, especially when people are calling and the phone is diverted or not being answered.

Tudravu says these are the small things that need to be firmed up and through this they can gain the trust of the community.

Meanwhile, the prevalent offence recorded last month was theft, which increased from 279 to 420 cases.

The Commissioner says a 13 percent increase in serious crime was reported, an 8 percent increase in crimes against women were recorded, and a 9 percent increase in crimes against children.

Tudravu further says there is a growing trend of cyber related financial deception and multiple reports linked to financial transactions through mobile services.

He adds that other offences recorded last month were unlawful possession of illicit drugs, burglary, aggravated robbery and criminal intimidation.