police leaders are calling for clear policy guidelines to help their rank and file members navigate public health crises, particularly regarding proposed HIV harm reduction strategies across the region, says Senior Superintendent of Police Rakesh Chand.
Speaking at the 2026 Pacific HIV Symposium at the Sheraton Fiji Golf Resort and Spa in Nadi yesterday, SSP Chand said command staff are working on establishing actionable rules while operating without a dedicated legal framework.
“Police forces around the world, their mandate is enforcement,” he said.
“But when it comes to a national health crisis, we played a key role in the 2019 measles epidemic in Fiji, and then again during the COVID-19 pandemic here.”
SSP Chand said applying strict enforcement tactics to public health initiatives creates operational friction, prompting urgent calls for practical solutions tailored to Fiji and neighbouring Pacific nations.
He also emphasised the need for defined directives to guide frontline officers during medical responses.
“On how can we navigate through this and come up with a very pragmatic solution for Fiji and the region to use.”
The force aims to establish a sustainable framework that respects public health goals while maintaining law and order across the country.
