Police back Govt stance on convention

The Fiji Police Force stands ready to fully support Government’s intention to accede to the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime.

Fiji Police senior research officer Robert Turaga said as a policing organisation they were always confronted with transnational organised crime in one form or another. Mr Turaga made the comment while making submissions at Parliament before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence.

Mr Turaga said it would enhance the force’s commitment to effectively address transnational crime while helping Government fulfill its legal obligations to the international community.

He said the Police Force was working with the Government in developing the National Security Strategy and Police white paper in strengthening the ability of Police to combat transnational crime.

Mr Turaga said one of the major challenges they faced in trying to combat transnational crime was storage and management of proceeds of crime exhibits.

Another major challenge he said was the insufficient resources for policing and surveillance of Fiji’s archipelagic waters which included yachts and foreign vessels.

He said if Fiji acceded to the convention the Police would strengthen operations like increased monitoring of cruise ships and foreign yachts due to the risks of money laundering, environmental degradation and illicit drug trafficking.

Mr Turaga said there was also a need for training in the management of intelligence for transnational organised crime cases and post terrorist attack investigations.