Fiji Police Force

Simon Hazelman, Savusavu

At a thanksgiving church service on Sunday at the Police Special Response Unit in Nasinu Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho commended all Fijians for the achievements of the Fiji Police Force through 2018.

It’s a great thing that our Police Commissioner is encouraging public co-operation and working towards strengthening trust between police and the public.

There is indeed a great need to increase public co-operation and support for our Police force.

Many still view our Police Force as biased and unjust and are less likely to report crimes in fear of victimisation. It is extremely important that our Police treat citizens fairly and impartially.

This will bolster shared morals between the community and the force and enhance beliefs concerning Police legitimacy.

We need to live in a society, where, if we see or have knowledge of an individual or a group of people breaking the law, we need to be able to make a report to the Police without fear. We all need to understand the importance of making the decision to report crimes and the effects that it will have on our society.

We must also bear in mind that refusing to assist our Police Force is an offence in itself.

At the end of the day, our Police Force needs our support as much as we need them to do their job of protecting us and our property.