OPPOSITION MP Virendra Lal has warned the Fiji Police Force is “a system at the breaking point” and called for urgent reforms, increased funding and stronger oversight to restore public trust.
He told the debate on the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence’s review of the force’s 2020–2021 annual report, the report was “not an exercise in political point scoring” but a roadmap for change.
“The Fiji Police Force is severely under-resourced,” he said.
“We cannot expect modern professional policing when the tools of the trade are outdated or non-existent.”
Mr Lal said the committee had found a direct link between poor resourcing and operational failures, from outdated technology to dilapidated stations and insufficient training.
He urged the Government to commit to “a phased increase in capital expenditure and operating budget”, describing it as an investment in national security.
He also stressed the need for specialised training in cybercrime, financial crime and domestic violence cases, and said more must be done to support the mental health of frontline officers.
On Fiji’s growing drug crisis, Mr Lal issued a warning in reference to the arrest of seven officers accused of attempting to smuggle four kilograms of methamphetamine.
“This is not a mistake. It is a calculated act of treason against the Republic of Fiji.
“When the very hand tasked with guarding the sheep turns out to be wolves, public trust dissolves.”
Mr Lal said Fiji faced a national emergency, not a political issue, and called for “unified national support” for police officers struggling with limited resources.
“The vast majority of honest, hard-working officers deserve more than our loyalty, they deserve a system that works.
“We must equip them, demand integrity, and deliver oversight to build a professional and incorruptible institution.”
