Fiji Police Force Rejects Claims of Systemic Corruption

The Fiji Police Force has firmly rejected allegations that corruption is a systemic issue within its ranks. Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Meli Sateki asserted that any instances of misconduct involve individual officers rather than being an organizational problem.

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Corruption was not part of the Fiji Police Force's culture and should not be viewed as an organizational problem.

Appearing before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence during a review of the Fiji Police Force's 2021–2022 Annual Report, Sateki addressed concerns raised by Committee Member Penioni Ravunawa regarding reports of corruption and misconduct. Sateki clarified that corruption is not embedded in the force's culture.

"We have a process that anyone who is alleged, and there is a case against a police officer on corruption, and there is credible evidence, after that process through to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, there is a process for the person to be set aside from work," Sateki explained. He stressed that while complaints are received, each allegation is rigorously assessed and investigated.

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We have a process that anyone who is alleged, and there is a case against a police officer on corruption, and there is credible evidence, after that process through to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, there is a process for the person to be set aside from work.

Sateki further elaborated that officers are suspended to allow for a proper investigation, emphasizing that no one is dismissed without credible information, evidence, and sanction from an independent oversight body like the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution. The organization remains committed to maintaining professional standards and ensuring accountability for any officer found to have breached the law.

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But to send somebody directly home without having credible information, without evidence, without being sanctioned from an independent oversight, like the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, it’s something that we don’t encourage.