THE shortage of police officers at some posts in the Northern Division is an issue the Fiji Police Force is already working to address, says Policing Minister Ioane Naivalurua.
Mr Naivalurua was responding to concerns about several police posts operating with limited staff and capacity, particularly in communities facing crime and drug-related problems.
“It’s already progressing,” he said.
He said a number of police stations now had fully-fledged community policing officers.
“I know that quite a few or many police stations now have a fully-fledged organisation made up of community policing officers. I know that for sure.”
He said community policing officers were already established as part of community policing posts.
“Maybe the (police) commissioner is working towards that, but I know they are already established now as community policing officers, part of any community policing post.”
He did not provide details on how many additional officers would be deployed to Northern posts or when staffing shortages would be fully addressed.
His comments come as police continue to face demands to strengthen their presence in communities and improve responses to crime and drug-related issues.
He has also called for communities to work closely with police in preventing crime and addressing social problems.
He said Government and the police needed community support to make homes, villages and communities safer.
