Police budget reduced, manpower focused

The Fiji Police Force faces a budget reduction for the upcoming 2026-2027 financial year, allocated $226 million, marking a 5.95 percent decrease from the $240.3 million received in the current period. This comes despite earlier appeals for increased funding to tackle escalating security concerns.

The previous financial year's budget had included a significant $40 million initiative for recruitment, aiming to expand the force by 1,000 officers through a two-phase program. The first phase, funded with $19.5 million, successfully supported the recruitment of 538 new officers and filled 300 vacant positions.

Minister for Finance Professor Esrom Immanuel stated that the second phase of the recruitment drive, which involves hiring another 538 officers, will proceed as planned. However, the immediate priority will be to fill around 400 existing vacancies. Immanuel noted that officers recruited during the current financial year will contribute to maintaining law and order.

Earlier this year, the Fiji Police Force had formally requested a larger budget. The force cited the need to respond effectively to a changing criminal landscape, upgrade outdated infrastructure, and meet increasing operational demands as reasons for the request.