The Police Uniform does not make us immune to the laws of Fiji - Qiliho

The Police Uniform does not make us immune to the laws of Fiji

This was message of Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho to 134 recruits that will be undergoing the six month Basic Recruit Course.

He told the recruits that the uniform does not give them the authority to do as they please and also think they can manipulate the system to suit them because they work for the institution enforcing the law.

Qiliho said the uniform holds them accountable to the Government of the day and those who are essentially paying our salary on a fortnightly basis, the people of Fiji.

He says one of the reasons as to why complaints continue to pile up against the institution is because some officers think they are above the law while some have the mindset that the rules that govern their work does not apply to them.

The Police Commissioner also stressed to the new recruits that policing will demand them to put on a smile and speak kind words in the face of disgruntled complainants.

He said policing will demand and test their patience.

He said a well rounded police officer must have the ability to empathise, be understanding, be patient, and have the desire to serve people who may not always have an appreciative word to say or can be extremely demanding.

Also joining this recruit course are 10 officers from Tuvalu and the Nauru Police Force.