Police Act fails to address contemporary policing challenges - Lutunauga

Fiji has taken a significant step towards overhauling its policing framework, with a Validation Workshop held today on the Review of the Police Act 1965, and Acting Police Commissioner Aporosa Lutunauga says the current Act, passed more than six decades ago, fails to address contemporary policing challenges. 

Lutunauga says the proposed reforms aim to introduce provisions covering DNA evidence, compulsory drug testing, breathalyser use, digital forensics, and responses to emerging crimes such as human trafficking, transnational crime and drug-related offences.

INSERT: Lutunauga on police act 16th Dec

Lutunauga says the review follows extensive nationwide consultations involving police officers, non-government organisations, civil society groups and members of the public. 

He says today’s workshop represents the final validation of recommendations submitted by the police following earlier consultation and validation sessions.

UN Human Rights Pacific Regional Representative, Heike Alefson says one of the most critical issues the revised Act must address is the use of force by the police.

She says international human rights law is clear that force may only be used when strictly necessary, must be lawful and proportionate, and must be a last resort to protect life. 

She adds that a modern Police Act must set clear legal thresholds for the use of force and firearms, require de-escalation and necessity as guiding principles, mandate training and reporting, and establish independent and credible oversight and accountability mechanisms.

Alefson stressed that a human rights approach does not weaken policing. 

She says clear laws protect police officers as much as they protect the public, and that human rights-based policing strengthens operational effectiveness by building public trust.

She says when communities trust the police, crimes are reported, victims seek help, intelligence improves and social tensions are defused before they escalate.

Consultant David Solvalu, engaged by the Office of the Solicitor General, says the validation workshop allows key stakeholders to review and confirm changes made to the draft bill before it is submitted to Cabinet.

He says a major issue raised during public consultations was the absence of community policing in the current law, adding that the 1965 Act does not formally recognise community policing despite its widespread practice.

He says other concerns include the limited scope of the Act, which contains only 60 sections and does not clearly define police powers or their limits.

Solvalu says once finalised, the draft bill will be submitted to Cabinet and, if endorsed, tabled in Parliament next year, subject to parliamentary procedures and further consultations.

He stressed that their aim is a clear, comprehensive and accessible law that meets human rights standards, protects the public and empowers police to carry out their duties effectively.