A PUBLIC consultation on proposed legal reforms have drawn mixed reactions, particularly regarding provisions in the Fiji Police Force Bill that would allow officers to make arrests without a warrant.
Speaking during a session held by the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights, Assistant Minister for Justice Ratu Josaia Niudamu highlighted the community concerns surrounding Clause 47 of the Bill.
The clause empowers police officers to arrest individuals without a warrant if they reasonably suspect an offence is being or about to be committed.
“Some say that it can cause police to abuse their powers and, what you have just mentioned, they can just go arrest a person and then plant some new things there to make that person look criminal.”
Mr Niudamu urged members of the public to share their perspectives on whether officers should retain this authority or be required to follow standard procedures to obtain arrest warrants.
Presenting his submission to the committee, Eiyaz Dean voiced support for the proposed powers, emphasising the need for quick police intervention to prevent the destruction of evidence.
“If the individual is being suspected that he is about to commit an offence, then I think they should conduct a warrantless arrest,”he said.
While the provision offers practical benefits for law enforcement, Mr Dean said appropriate checks must be established alongside it, stating there should be some safeguards in between.
