More than 100 officers have resigned from the Fiji Police Force to seek opportunities elsewhere.
This has prompted police to recruit 150 special constables ahead of the busy season, said Assistant Commissioner of Police, Operations Livai Driu.
Mr Driu said another recruitment drive would be conducted next year to further boost the force’s manpower.
He said the recruitment was not only to increase the ‘boots on the ground’ but as replacement for those who have left the force through resignations, termination, retirement and the deceased.
“It’s not a recruitment to increase the number because one of the main challenges too is the numbers of officers that have been resigning from the organisation.
“They have been moving for other opportunities, which is beyond our control.
“Since then, we have noted challenges. Last year was 120 (left the organisation), this year almost 100, that is why we have been recruiting special constables as replacements.
“Now we have one officer looking after 204 Fijians, so looking at that we are trying to cover as much area as we can, despite the setbacks we can’t say we cannot handle it, because we are here to serve the people.”
