THE Minister for Policing could lose the power to approve the appointment of the police commissioner under a proposed constitutional change by the Constitutional Review Commission.
The commission recommends removing the requirement for the Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) to obtain “the agreement of the minister” before appointing the police commissioner.
It said the change was intended to insulate the appointment process from political interference.
However, the minister would retain a role in setting public safety policy, with the police commissioner continuing to act in accordance with the minister’s general policy directives from time to time.
“This would ensure public safety policy remained under democratic oversight while accountability continued to rest with elected representatives,” the commission said.
“The Fiji Police Force and Fiji Corrections Service were considered together in the recommendations because of similarities in their constitutional arrangements relating to ministerial involvement and the COC.”
The commission also recommends simplifying the constitutional provisions governing the police commissioner’s powers.
Under the proposed provision, the commissioner would have authority over all matters relating to the employment of staff within the Fiji Police Force.
It also recommends a general provision under the disciplined forces section of the Constitution to unify selection processes across the disciplined services.
