Police in Fiji can carry firearms under current law, however, there is no immediate need for routine arming.
Policing Permanent Secretary Berenado Daveta has confirmed that existing legislation already provides legal authority for officers to be armed, citing Section 5 of the Police Act currently in force.
He said the law outlined the core functions of the force, including maintaining law and order, preserving peace, protecting life and property, and enforcing all laws.
Mr Daveta said the legislation also included provisions enabling officers to carry arms when performing those duties.
“I know it will require a lot of money to buy this sort of equipment, but there has been talks on the police to be armed,” Mr Daveta said.
“In the law, Section 5 (Functions of the Force) of the Police Act that we are using at the moment, it allows for police to carry firearms.”
Under Section 5 of the Police Act 1965 “The Force shall be employed in and throughout Fiji for the maintenance of law and order, the preservation of the peace, the protection of life and property, the prevention and detection of crime and the enforcement of all laws and regulations with which it is directly charged; and shall be entitled for the performance of any such duties to carry arms.”
However, Daveta stressed that despite this legal authority, Fiji Police does not currently consider the routine carriage of firearms necessary.
“Any decision to arm officers operationally would rest with the Commissioner of Police, who could direct the force if circumstances required it.
“But we don’t think it’s necessary.”
In addition to firearms policy, Mr Daveta said the introduction of body-worn cameras had also been considered within policing discussions.
He described body cameras as a useful tool for accountability and operational support but noted that implementation would depend on available funding.
