The Fiji Police Force as an institution is not corrupt.
This has been highlighted by Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu as he defended the organisation’s handling of corruption allegations and urged the public to trust due process.
Speaking during the press conference at the Police Headquarters, Commissioner Tudravu says 2025 had been a year of stability, assessment and growth for the Fiji Police Force, despite significant challenges and intense public scrutiny.
He acknowledged that allegations made against police officers have had a detrimental impact on public trust and confidence, and admitted the organisation is at a critical crossroads where genuine policing efforts risk being undermined by claims of corruption.
However, he stressed that the Force is determined to overcome these challenges and restore faith in policing by adhering strictly to the truth and the rule of law.
Commissioner Tudravu also responded to criticism over his decision not to immediately remove officers implicated in allegations, saying such actions would undermine the integrity of investigations.
He says many have labelled this decision as being complicit, but it is important to follow due process to safeguard investigations.
He says while there is a strong public demand for accountability and transparency, investigations must be allowed to run their full course, noting that such processes take time and often involve multiple stakeholders.
The Commissioner also rejected claims circulating on social media that investigations will lead nowhere or that issues are being swept under the carpet, saying repeated clarifications have been issued through mainstream media.
He reiterated that police officers will be held accountable where evidence exists that can withstand scrutiny in a court of law, adding that arrests and charges laid against officers involved in illegal activities should be viewed as proof that wrongdoing is being addressed, not ignored.
