While the Fiji Police Force has some bad individuals, the institution itself is not a bad barrel as there are more officers who are law abiding and maintain the integrity of the force.
As the police force prepares for a “reset”, Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew said the force had no place for corrupt officers.
He said this while revealing that 28 police officers were charged in relation to offences under the illicit Drugs Control Act 2004 in the past three years.
For the offence of unlawful possession of illicit drugs, five officers were charged in 2021, 12 in 2022 and 10 in 2023.
Only one officer was charged for unlawful use of illicit drugs in 2022.
The acting commissioner said officers were constantly reminded of this, so if one chose to get involved in drugs, it was of their own choice and not because the organisation condoned it.
Mr Fong Chew insisted the Fiji Police Force had always strictly enforced its zero tolerance on police officers involved in drugs and when official reports were lodged, investigations were conducted in accordance with internal disciplinary and criminal investigation processes and procedures.
“I reiterate that the Fiji Police Force is not corrupt,” Mr Fong Chew said.
“Based on the actions of a few, we understand that there is a perception that the involvement of police officers is rife where we are turning a blind eye to it, but this is simply not true.
“We accept that we have to work hard in changing the perception, and we are actively doing this through internal measures.
“We urge members of the public to lodge official reports if they suspect the involvement of any police officer and assure the thorough conduct of an investigation.”
