Constitution Review Commission has recommended removing the requirement for ministerial agreement in the appointment of the Commissioner of Police, as part of proposed changes aimed at insulating appointments from political interference.
Under the proposal, the Constitutional Offices Commission would continue to play the central role in appointing the Police Commissioner, but the requirement for the relevant minister’s agreement would be removed.
The Commission has, however, recommended retaining the provision requiring the Police Commissioner to act in accordance with the minister’s general policy directives issued from time to time.
It said this distinction was intended to protect the appointment process from political interference while ensuring that broader public safety policy remained subject to democratic oversight and accountability through elected government.
The Commission has also proposed simplifying the constitutional provisions governing the Police Commissioner’s authority.
Under the recommended provision, the Commissioner would have authority over all matters concerning the employment of staff within the Fiji Police Force.
The report addresses the Fiji Police Force and Fiji Corrections Service together because of similarities in the proposed arrangements concerning ministerial involvement and the role of the Constitutional Offices Commission.
The Commission has further recommended creating a general constitutional provision to standardise selection processes across Fiji’s disciplined services.
The proposals form part of wider recommendations intended to clarify the distinction between the operational independence of disciplined forces and the policy oversight exercised by elected government.
