A GROWING collision between strict legal enforcement mandates and national public health priorities is forcing the Fiji Police Force to re-examine its core operational strategies.
Senior Superintendent of Police Rakesh Chand said senior officers are evaluating their role as health-related duties continue to test conventional policing methods.
Global police forces typically focus on enforcing statutory laws, but Fiji’s history shows an increasing reliance on officers during health emergencies.
SSP Chand said the force served on the front lines during the 2019 measles outbreak and performed widespread enforcement duties during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
SSP Chand highlighted the inherent friction between medical goals and standard law enforcement tasks.
“Looking at the collision between public health objectives and our strict enforcement mandate,” he said.
He added that emerging focus on HIV harm reduction presents a new set of operational hurdles for officers who must operate without explicit legal guidelines.
Without formal legislation, SSP Chand said, commanders must establish practical protocols that balance public safety with compassionate health initiatives.
He said police headquarters continues to evaluate its position to ensure officers act effectively while supporting health authorities across the nation.
