A FORMER senior police officer is urging Government to strengthen Fiji’s elite Police Mobile Unit to confront the country’s growing drug trade.
Former Police Mobile Unit trainer Tevita Ralulu said a properly resourced tactical unit could tackle organised drug networks without relying heavily on the military.
“What can be done by a properly resourced mobile unit shouldn’t be done by the military,” he said.
His comments come amid discussions between the Fiji Police Force and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces on possible cooperation in future drug operations.
Mr Ralulu, who joined the Police Mobile Unit in 1975 and later helped train officers, said the unit was originally created to deal with situations ordinary police stations could not control.
“The primary role is to deal with cases that cannot be controlled by any district or police station – including drugs,” he said.
He said officers in the unit once underwent intensive specialist training covering navigation, weapons handling, survival skills and tactical operations.
“We were primarily trained for these kinds of situations.
But he believes the unit’s capabilities have weakened over time as experienced officers retired or left the force.
“The biggest problem that really took place, many good people left,” he said.
Mr Ralulu said rebuilding the unit with experienced trainers and modern tactical programs would significantly strengthen Fiji’s ability to tackle organised crime.
“You need to restore that capability.”
He believes a well-trained mobile unit could rapidly deploy to remote areas, conduct difficult operations and respond to high-risk situations linked to drug trafficking.
