Bula
Two stories make the front page of The Fiji Times for Wednesday, July 23.
Inside: News/Letters to the editor We/ People/ Business/ International News/ Comics/ Horoscope/ Crossword/ Classifieds/ Sports.
Synopsis
In the fight against crime, especially one as deeply rooted as the drug crisis we are now facing, police work is critically important. They are our first line of defence against social and economic decay brought about by the illicit drug trade.
There are times when the weight of the fight becomes overwhelming for those tasked to protect us. What happens then?
Police officers are particularly vulnerable when dealing with large-scale drug operations, such as those now found in Fiji. This is according to Kadavu Provincial Council chair Isikeli Vuniwaqa when asked about allegations of police officers colluding with marijuana farmers in Kadavu.
The province, he said, is adopting a whole-of-society approach to tackle its growing drug crisis as police alone cannot stem the tide.
Mr Vuniwaqa said the province is also pursuing long-term structural reforms, including looking at crops as substitutes for marijuana.
“It’s going to be a long fight, but we hope we can achieve something in the near future.”
So we reflect on what happens when those tasked with upholding the law are allegedly enticed, coerced, or compromised by criminal elements.
It signals a breakdown in the system that cannot be ignored.
This is why it is important to ensure that police officers are not only well-supported but also deeply passionate about the work they do.
We have always said this before, policing is not merely a job; it is a calling. The challenges that come with the uniform are immense. They include long hours, high stress, moral dilemmas, and physical danger.
And in places like Kadavu, where drug networks are entrenched and the stakes are high, these challenges are amplified.
Officers who lack commitment or who view the role as a mere paycheck are more likely to falter under pressure, to become disillusioned, or worse, to become complicit.
We say this is where passion becomes a safeguard.
In saying that, a passionate police officer understands their role is more than enforcement. It is about service. It is about protection. It is about leadership. There are officers who resist temptation, who go the extra mile to engage with communities, who uphold the values of integrity and courage even when it is difficult. We need more of them!
The fight against drugs cannot be won by the police alone though. Traditional village structures must be empowered, with chiefs taking the lead.
Structural reforms such as introducing alternative crops and economic opportunities are commendable and necessary for long-term change. But these efforts must be backed by a police force that is resilient, accountable, and passionately committed to the rule of law.
