POLICE officers who become involved in criminal activities do so because of personal choices rather than shortcomings in training, guidance or institutional support.
Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu rejected suggestions that poor pay or inadequate ethics training within the Fiji Police Force are driving the increase in corruption cases involving officers, arguing that the force already has systems in place to guide and regulate officer conduct.
Mr Tudravu said officers receive training throughout their careers and operate under established procedures, force training orders and laws that govern police work.
Despite these measures, he maintained that responsibility ultimately rests with individual officers.
“Everything depends on the individual. We have done our part,” he said.
He said the force’s focus should be on understanding why some officers choose to stray from the standards expected of them despite receiving the same training and guidance as their colleagues.
Mr Tudravu declined to comment on whether salary levels may be contributing to misconduct, saying only that responsibility lies with the individual officer.
He also pointed to the recent address by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to the latest police recruit intake as part of ongoing efforts to reinforce professional values within the organisation.
“I think the crux of the message is the integrity, the ethical standard that needs to be.
“And I can confirm that all this advice and the statement that I have given is taught at the various level of the recruits and up at the various level of causes that we are in.
“It is something that brings back how we align ourselves again on the things that need to be done within this organisation.”
