The Fiji Police Force should ensure that all exhibits are properly stored in a safe and secure room at all times, the Office of the Auditor-General stated in its 2019 Audit Report on General Administration Sector tabled in Parliament last week.

Auditors examined the storage of exhibits at Labasa, Savusavu, Seaqaqa and Nabouwalu police stations.

“The Labasa Police Station has an exhibit room that is small and not adequately secured,” the report read.

“The small wooden exhibit room is located behind the station fitness gym and is only separated by a thin plywood wall.

“The Savusavu Police Station is using its old two-cell blocks building as its exhibit storeroom. “The cell blocks are very small and do not have adequate space to meet the station exhibit storage needs.

“Instances were noted where exhibits were maintained outside the Nabouwalu Police Station building in the open, exposed to sunlight and rain.

“The force should ensure that all exhibits are properly stored in a safe and secure room at all times and consider improvements to the current police stations, particularly in terms of size to ensure that proper space is available to cater for its critical needs.”

The Fiji Police Force stated there was insufficient storage space at Labasa and Savusavu and the upgrade of the exhibit rooms would depend on the availability of funds.

“Items at the Nabouwalu Police Station were still kept outside the Nabouwalu Police Station building in the open due to lack of storage space.

Items will be disposed upon completion of the case proceedings.”