Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is right to feel embarrassed and angry at the fact that the Ministry of Policing’s Counter Narcotics Bureau officers are being arrested and charged on allegations of unlawful possession of illicit drugs.
In fact we should all be angry and embarrassed.
This is the state of things in our fight against hard drugs it seems.
In fact, the hard questions must come up now. Where are the men and women of integrity? Where are the men and women of passion for police work? Where are the men and women of empathy and commitment to do what is required in the fight against drugs?
This is an embarrassing state of affairs.
This isn’t how we should be viewing our police force. It is disgraceful!
Men and women who commit crimes whilst shouldering huge responsibilities, in highly skilled and regarded teams, damage the credibility of the force. They are an embarrassment to every man and woman who places great value on integrity and the law. They are a disgrace to police work, and to all the men and women who have served the force with distinction over the years!
This is a breach of public trust and a betrayal of the very principles upon which the Fiji Police Force is built.
When officers sworn to uphold the law instead choose to break it, they undermine the integrity of the entire institution, weaken our fight against drugs, and cast a dark shadow over the thousands of men and women who serve with honour. Policing is a noble profession. It demands courage, resilience, and above all, integrity. The uniform is not just a garment of authority. It is a symbol of responsibility. Those who wear it are entrusted with safeguarding the rule of law and protecting the community. When they falter, the damage reaches far beyond their own reputations. It strikes at the heart of public confidence in law enforcement.
The allegations against members of the Counter Narcotics Bureau are serious. This unit was created to target a scourge that is corroding our communities. To discover that some officers have allegedly colluded with criminals rather than confronting them is a deep humiliation for the force and a setback for the nation. It is also an insult to their colleagues, many of whom sacrifice daily to protect our society from this growing menace.
It is, therefore, right that the Prime Minister has demanded the unit’s immediate disbandment. It is also right that Minister for Policing Ioane Naivalurua has insisted that officers who betray their oath will face the full force of the law, “just like any other citizen”. There can be no exceptions. There can be no hiding behind the badge.
Future appointments to specialist units must be subject to the most rigorous selection processes. Candidates must not only demonstrate competence but must also possess an unimpeachable record of honesty, resilience, and ethical conduct. Anything less is unacceptable. For in law enforcement, integrity is the foundation upon which all else depends.
The shameful acts of a few should not be allowed to tarnish the many. The majority of Fiji’s police officers continue to serve with distinction, guided by a genuine commitment to justice and public service. They must not be defined by the failures of those who chose dishonour over duty. But nor should the institution hesitate in dealing ruthlessly with those who betray its trust.
The embarrassment we feel as a nation should be transformed into action. This scandal must mark a turning point.
The fight against drugs is one of the greatest challenges of our time. It cannot be won without the full confidence of the people in the men and women charged with leading it. Without integrity, the badge means nothing! And without integrity, the battle against crime is already lost.
