Cabinet has endorsed the Fiji Police Bill 2026, paving the way for a major overhaul of the country’s policing laws aimed at modernising law enforcement, strengthening accountability and aligning police operations with contemporary legal and human rights standards.
The proposed legislation will repeal and replace the decades-old Police Act 1965 and introduce a new legal framework covering police governance, disciplinary procedures, operational powers, investigations, human rights safeguards and community policing.
The Bill will now be presented in Parliament.
According to the review findings, there was broad agreement across consultations that the current legislation is outdated and no longer capable of addressing modern policing challenges.
Officials involved in the review said existing laws were poorly aligned with current governance principles and lacked adequate provisions to deal with emerging technologies and evolving forms of crime.
Among the major concerns raised were the absence of legal frameworks governing the use of drones, artificial intelligence, forensic technologies and body cameras by police officers.
The review also identified outdated disciplinary procedures, gaps in cybercrime and maritime enforcement powers, and insufficient legal clarity surrounding covert operations, evidence handling and the protection of informers.
Questions were also raised over overlapping responsibilities between the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Fiji Police Force, as well as inconsistencies in the legal definition of a “police officer”.
The new Bill is expected to strengthen policing standards, improve transparency and accountability, and reinforce public confidence in the Fiji Police Force.
The review further highlighted the need to better align policing legislation with the Constitution and other national laws, while embedding stronger human rights protections and ethical safeguards into police operations.
Consultations also emphasised the importance of expanding community policing initiatives through dedicated legal support and improving police capacity through better resources, inter-agency coordination and officer training.
Particular attention was placed on the need for gender sensitivity training, forensic accreditation and strengthening investigative standards.
The Ministry has also outlined a long-term vision of positioning Fiji as a regional leader in policing through international alignment and the eventual establishment of a regional Centre of Excellence for policing and law enforcement training.
