The Fiji Police Force had 4580 officers in the 2018-2019 financial year, 3524 were males and 1056 females.
The force revealed this to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence that reviewed the organisation’s 2018-2019 annual report. Chief of planning, research and doctrines (CPRD) ACP Aporosa Lutunauga told the committee the Fiji Police Academy conducted career sessions in schools and participated in career expo.
“During those programs they encourage women and our organisation is open but the criteria is equal,” said ACP Lutunauga.
“It is a pass in Form 6, (Year 12) you must have a driving licence and you must be physically fit.
“Obviously, we have encouraged women and school children through those programs, community policing programs, and as we are a developing society, people are beginning to see what the police force is about and they are changing their perception now.
“As you have rightly stated, their perception when you mention the word ‘police’ is on the other side.
“So, we are working towards that through our Community Policing Programme and our Policing in School Programme in order to try and change that perception and encourage more women to come into the (Fiji) Police Force.”
