THE Fiji Police Force is looking to grow its ranks to 7000 in the next five years to better meet the needs of the growing population, up by 2424 from the current 4576 officers.
The force presently operates with a ratio of one police officer to every 456 people in the Central Division alone.
Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew raised the issue with Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua during his visit to Central Police Station, Suva, yesterday.
During a briefing, a senior policeman informed the minister that police were being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of people they were being tasked to take care of.
The police informed Mr Tikoduadua that CPS or Totogo, catered to an area of 8.477 square kilometres which included 6500 businesses, 11,400 residents and 150,000 who entered the Suva Peninsula on a daily basis for work, education or trade.
Police said the 150,000 was for those who entered the division via buses and did not include those who travelled in private vehicles, company transport or minivans.
The police commissioner told Mr Tikoduadua that according to the old structure, the strength for the CPS was 234, however, at present it was 329.
“The current restructure (of the Fiji Police Force) is a five-year plan, so by the end of the five years, we should be at 7000,” the Police Commissioner said.
“Currently, we are on the first phase of phase three but it will be dependent on the government for funding.”
Mr Tikoduadua said the challenge would be on striking a good balance between increasing police manpower and utilising modern technology where possible.
“These are important decisions to make because obviously with resources — there is never enough — and you want to be smart so that you can deploy only in the more important areas.”
