POLICE will continue to apply pressure on criminal networks despite last week’s attack that left two officers severely injured after a violent incident at Laqere, Nasinu, last week.
Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu said this as joint drug operation with the Republic of Fiji Military Forces continued, including a broad daylight raid yesterday at Suva’s Jittu Estate.
The hour-long sting saw the closure of one lane along Grantham Rd to Gaji Rd.
Police had not released any details when this edition went to press.
Mr Tudravu said his officers remain on the frontline of an increasingly dangerous operating environment.
“Police officers face significant threats to their safety and security every day,” he said.
“Every day we go out into our communities to serve, with the understanding and commitment of putting service before self.
“The unfortunate accident is a reminder of how dangerous policing is and while officers are trained to deal with varying situations, the unpredictable nature of the criminal landscape is such that, when one tries to avoid the long arm of the law, they will resort to any extreme to evade arrest.”
He said incident was not a targeted attack on an officer because of her family ties, “but an unfortunate accident, where officers on the ground had a few seconds to react to”.
He said the force’s detailed daily briefings and debriefings continued to guide tactical decision-making and risk management in the field.
“We are reviewing our current operational posture, prioritising the safety of members of both forces, and we will not back down.
“We had sought the assistance of the RFMF in January for joint deployment during Operations Sasamaki, however, with the escalation of operations, we are working with the army in conducting surge ops.
“We will continue to apply pressure on those with links to criminal networks.”
