CONCERNS over the handling of police investigation files and exhibits, and their potential impact on criminal prosecutions remain a concern the Fiji Police Force does not want to see continue.
While making submissions to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Meli Sateki said the organisation had established systems and internal oversight mechanisms to manage and safeguard evidence across all levels of policing.
“The Fiji Police is guided by procedures and process,” he said.
A/DCP Sateki said responsibilities for handling case files and exhibits were clearly defined from station level through to divisional command, with officers expected to comply with established procedures. He said the force also had an Internal Affairs Unit tasked with monitoring compliance and investigating breaches when they occurred.
“This is the unit that is responsible to ensure on both sides, one is proactively and the other one is reactively, to ensure that there is strict compliance to the system and processes.”
A/DCP Sateki said the unit investigated allegations involving missing files, lost exhibits and other procedural breaches that could affect investigations and court proceedings. He said the organisation also conducted weekly internal training sessions based on emerging issues affecting policing standards.
“These lecture topics are normally covered every Wednesday to ensure there is more governance and strict compliance to our systems and processes.”
A/DCP Sateki acknowledged that breaches still occured but said investigations were carried out when issues were identified.
“Whilst we don’t condone it happening, there is investigation ongoing in regards to those that have breached.”
