Opposition MP Joseph Nitya Nand has warned Parliament that police officers posted in their own communities were often reluctant to make arrests, a weakness he says is undermining law enforcement and public trust.
“The core issue I address today is a growing concern regarding police posts where police officers are deployed within their own locality and are reluctant to make arrests,” Mr Nand told the House during debate on the review report of the Fiji Police Force 2020–2021 annual report.
“Police officers from their own locality are well known to members of the public.
“Sir, in case of any crimes committed in the village, the officers find it difficult to arrest them.”
Mr Nand suggested that officers should be posted outside their home districts “so that they can carry out their work without any hindrance or hesitation”.
Mr Nand said the Naviti Resort case, in which the victims of an alleged crime had to return to Fiji twice because of delays in police action, illustrated “how the lack of professionalism is amplified by systemic failures documented across the review report”.
He pointed to what he called “failure of welfare”, noting the last job evaluation exercise was in 2003, while officers in Lautoka and Rakiraki “often pay out of their pockets for duty-related travels”.
The review found “critical facilities are degraded”, including Nadi Police Station with an overflowing sewer line and Sigatoka Police Post operating out of an “unsuitable and unhealthy container”.
“The success of the Fiji Police Force depends on us, as a Parliament, honouring the force with the resources it needs.
“Only then can we ensure that every officer honours their oath, and the rule of law is applied equally to all.”
