Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has assured the public there is clear coordination between the police and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) as the military takes a more active role in combating the illicit drug trade.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Mr Rabuka said the RFMF would work closely with the Fiji Police Force and would not operate independently.
“They will have to cooperate with the police in the execution of that role, and they understand very well that they can work with the police,” the Prime Minister said.
Responding to questions on whether there was clear coordination between the Ministry of Policing, the police and the RFMF, Mr Rabuka said there was a strong working understanding at both ministerial and operational levels.
“As far as I’m concerned, there is a very clear understanding between the two ministers, and I do not have any doubt that the heads of the operation — the heads of the two arms, the policing arm and the military arm — can cooperate very well,” he said.
Mr Rabuka added that cooperation between the two forces was ingrained through training and professional experience.
“They have been trained, and all their professional life is on the understanding that there will come a time, or times, when they will be required to cooperate and work together,” he said.
The Prime Minister also addressed allegations that some police officers may be linked to drug-related activities, stressing that such claims must be properly reported and investigated.
“They’ll have to be proven. It’s up to those who are making the allegations to make reports, not just make allegations,” Mr Rabuka said.
He said reports should be lodged with the appropriate investigating arms of government so allegations could be substantiated or dismissed “as pure speculation and allegations.”
