EFFORTS are being taken by the Fiji Police Force to equip its officers, says Deputy Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu.
He said one of the focuses was on the training of new officers.
“We are determined to do that,” he said. “It’s something that we’ve always done and we will continue to do that especially the training part.
“There is a definite risk there which is part and parcel of our work.” He said officers were trained to protect themselves, but civilians should be mindful to adhere to law enforcement officers.
“The situation that we are facing is something that we anticipate from the field and from a few members of the public.
“But in Fiji, we are OK. We are not like other countries where officers are afraid to do this work. We are trying our best and we are addressing it.”
He said community engagement was another avenue the police had recently taken.
“We are going back to the communities. “We are falling back to the religious organisations and community leaders, our chiefs, the elders to talk to their people to be responsible people.
“The last thing they should do is go against authority and our law enforcement agency.”
