THE proposed Fiji Police Bill 2026 will modernise policing powers, strengthen accountability and improve public trust as Government moves to tackle organised crime and technologically enabled offences, Minister for Policing Ioane Naivalurua told Parliament as he tabled the Bill yesterday.
Presenting the Bill, Mr Naivalurua said Fiji required “modern legislation, professional policing, lawful powers, and the confidence of the communities that the police serve”.
“The Bill seeks to balance modern law enforcement capability with democratic accountability, judicial oversight and the protection of constitutional rights and freedoms,” Mr Naivalurua said.
He said the legislation introduced major reforms including stronger investigative and enforcement powers, digital forensic capabilities, community policing provisions and the establishment of a Fiji Police Force Disciplinary Tribunal.
“These provisions will establish the lawful investigative framework necessary for combating serious organised criminal activity and modern transnational criminal networks.”
The minister stressed that the expanded powers would remain subject to “legal thresholds, judicial oversight, proportionality, and constitutional safeguards”.
He said the Bill also strengthened police powers relating to digital devices and forensic evidence to combat cyber-enabled crime.
“These reforms are essential to ensuring that the Fiji Police Force remains capable of investigating and prosecuting technologically enabled criminal activity.”
Mr Naivalurua highlighted the Bill underwent nationwide consultation, including 46 in-person sessions across all 14 provinces involving civil society groups, faith-based organisations and community stakeholders.
Opposition MP Jone Usamate welcomed the Bill, saying Fiji had “been looking forward to this Bill for some time”.
The Bill has now been referred to the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights for further scrutiny.
