Police defend merit-based recruitment process

The Fiji Police Force has firmly defended its recruitment process, refuting claims that family ties or preferential treatment play a role in hiring decisions. The issue was brought to light following concerns raised by Virendra Lal, a member of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, regarding the transparency of the selection procedures.

Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Meli Sateki emphasized that the force adheres to a merit-based system, where all applicants are evaluated against the same set of criteria, focusing on qualifications and established protocols. "What we would like to see is that those who are joining the organisation, those who go through the selection processes, are those who meet the minimum qualification requirement," Sateki stated.

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What we would like to see is that those who are joining the organisation, those who go through the selection processes, are those who meet the minimum qualification requirement.

Sateki further highlighted the importance of selecting the most suitable candidates, explaining that it is critical for ensuring the delivery of effective police services and minimizing expenditure on training. "Because to us, our focus is on the performance of the work. If we don’t choose right here, it will certainly be counterproductive when we train them and learn and relearn what they need to know," he added.

This reassurance comes at a time when the Fiji Police Force is actively working to enhance public trust and improve its overall service delivery to the community.

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Because to us, our focus is on the performance of the work. If we don’t choose right here, it will certainly be counterproductive when we train them and learn and relearn what they need to know.