The revelation that the Commissioner of Police has confirmed 47 police officers have been charged with offences linked to illicit drugs since 2020 is alarming.
It is a reminder of the vulnerabilities within the very institution mandated to safeguard law, order and public safety.
Many Fijians will ask: How can this be happening? Yet the truth is undeniable. This is our reality, and we must confront it head-on.
The expected response is shock and disappointment. But beyond that lies the far more difficult challenge. How to identify, remove and prevent “contaminated” or compromised officers from operating within the ranks. This is not a simple administrative task. It is a deep-rooted institutional problem requiring courage, discipline, sustained reforms and unwavering public support.
Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu outlined the situation during his presentation at the 27th Attorney-General’s Conference at the Sheraton Fiji Golf Resort and Spa in Nadi.
He revealed that between 2020 and 2025, 47 officers faced charges ranging from tampering with exhibits and assault to unlawful possession and unlawful imposition. He explained that all drug-related matters are handled by the Criminal Investigation Department, while the Internal Affairs Unit conducts criminal and disciplinary investigations.
In acknowledging these cases, Mr Tudravu admitted what many Fijians have felt for years, such allegations erode public confidence in the police. They affect police–public relations, community engagement, policy direction and operational practice.
“My mission,” he said, “is to solidify the organisation we lead and then provide proof in terms of how we conduct our business.”
This intention is commendable. It is, in fact, exactly what the country needs from its Police Commissioner. But the Commissioner cannot do this alone. He needs the support of his officers, and the support of the Fijian people. Rebuilding the integrity of the force requires a strong foundation grounded in transparency, accountability and mutual respect. Only then can the police reclaim the trust that has slipped through their fingers.
For this to happen, every officer must return to the core purpose of policing. They must value the work they do, honour the uniform they wear and uphold the laws they swore to protect. Respect for the police must be earned through consistent, principled conduct.
Equally, the public has a role to play. For decades we have encouraged closer cooperation between communities and the police, and that message remains valid today. Effective policing relies on trust, communication and a shared commitment to justice. When communities understand the pressures facing the police, their limitations, their challenges, their aspirations, they become better equipped to support crime-prevention efforts in meaningful ways.
Cooperation does not only mean participating in high-profile investigations. It also includes simpler acts like reporting suspicious behaviour, refusing to shield offenders, complying with road safety laws, and fostering environments where criminal activity is discouraged. These everyday actions strengthen the social fabric and make policing more effective.
The Fiji Police Force today stands at a crossroads. It can allow the weight of internal corruption and public scepticism to drag it further into disrepute, or it can seize this moment to rebuild itself from within. The path forward requires honesty, reform and steadfast leadership. But above all, it requires a nation committed to standing with its police.
Because in the end, the fight against crime is a shared responsibility. It demands integrity from officers, vigilance from citizens and unity from all of us.
