Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has vowed an unrelenting crackdown on lawbreakers within law enforcement ranks, declaring that more arrests and court cases are expected in the months ahead as part of a sweeping effort to restore public trust.
“The Government will slowly weed out those who break the laws,” Mr Rabuka said in response to growing concerns over misconduct allegations within the Counter Narcotics Bureau.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the gravity of the situation in his interview in The Fiji Times’ A Conversation with the PM but urged perspective.
“No country has a ‘zero’ crime rate, so let’s not be too tough on ourselves,” he said.
Mr Rabuka said the so-called “crisis of trust” was in fact the product of intensified reforms led by the current administration.
“It is exactly because of the unrelenting drive and pressure being applied by the Fiji Police Force under the leadership of Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu that people are being flushed out, investigated and charged,” he said.
Commissioner Tudravu’s appointment under the Coalition Government, along with the establishment of a dedicated policing ministry led by former Police Commissioner Ioane Naivalurua, reflects what Mr Rabuka called a “no stone unturned” approach.
“For its part, the Coalition Government will ensure that the Fiji Police Force and other supporting law enforcement agencies are well resourced and supported,” he said, adding that the fight against hard drugs would take a “whole of community, entire nation approach” involving chiefs, churches, schools, and NGOs.
