THE proposed Police Bill 2026 confirms that the Fiji Police Force will remain under the command of the Police Commissioner during any state of emergency declared in the country.
Under Clause 8 of the Bill, the Commissioner will be empowered to direct the Force to respond to circumstances that threaten the security and safety of Fiji, or any part of the country, once a state of emergency has been declared by the Prime Minister under Section 154 of the Constitution.
The provision gives the Police Commissioner a central role in coordinating law enforcement operations during national emergencies.
“The Commissioner may, in a state of emergency declared by the Prime Minister under section 154 of the Constitution, direct the force to deal effectively with the circumstances that threaten the security and safety of all or a part of Fiji,” the Bill states.
The legislation also allows the minister responsible for policing to make regulations to support the operation of the law during a state of emergency.
However, any regulation made must comply with constitutional safeguards, including Section 43 of the Constitution, and must be consistent with regulations issued by the Prime Minister under emergency powers.
A key feature of the provision is that it explicitly preserves the Police Commissioner’s authority over the Force during emergency situations.
“In a state of emergency, the Force remains under the command of the Commissioner,” the Bill states.
The clause provides legal clarity on the chain of command during national crises, ensuring that police operations continue to be directed through the established leadership structure even when emergency powers are activated.
