Get Your Act Right, Tudravu Urges Officers
Police officers begin customer service training simultaneously in Suva, Lautoka and Labasa to address public complaints.
Police officers in the country have been urged to vigorously improve their skills and attitude towards customer service delivery.
The message of urgency by Acting Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu comes following the numerous complaints received from the public against officers. “We have recorded a lot of negative comments that has been out there, especially on social media, and in the media pinpointing the conduct of Police officers on how we conduct ourselves, which is not in line with the process or the policy of the organisation,” Mr Tudravu said. Some of the complaints include poor answering of calls, not addressing complaints properly when reports are lodged; Police assault of members of the public, poor or aggressive responses to the public and failing to attend to cases in good time, etc.
In a bid to address the problem, the Fiji Police Force started its two-day Customer Service Training of Trainers Workshop simultaneously in Suva, Lautoka and Labasa.
“What we want to do now is to again get ourselves to the standard that is required, which this organisation is renowned for, its serviceoriented organisation,” the Acting Police Commissioner said.
“We have customer service training because it is a necessity in any serviceoriented organisation.
The workshops are being convened to enhance the force’s service delivery capabilities.
“An officer is to serve people with respect, dignity, humility and respecting people because it is a necessity of being a police officer.
Mr Tudravu highlighted the importance of being service providers because people paid taxes that contribute to the salaries of Police officers.
“We are paid to serve the people and that means customer service has to be a priority when wearing the blue uniform,” he said.
“Do unto others what you’d want to them to do unto you. So, if you, as an officer, do not want to be assaulted then do not assault people.” The officers were urged to understand the significance of their roles and status because they would be responsible in carrying the message from the workshop to the officers on the ground.
Police optimistic about 2021
The force is also starting the new year with an ambition to improve operations and enforce better approaches to fill gaps that they lacked last year. Mr Tudravu said: “I think we have done our fair share in 2020, we have learned from it and we are embracing ourselves to 2021. We have done well in terms of assisting the Government of the day and other Government departments of the directive that was tasked to us because of COVID-19 and the cyclones that occurred. Apart from its routine work, the force is conducting special operations and other additional tasking that it is required to do. With schools opening next week, Mr Tudravu is emphasising on the need for better parental guidance on children.
“We need all stakeholders to come on board and hold hands in regards to the safety of our children,” he said. “The young are the future generation of family and the Police cannot be everywhere. But we will be available to assist when school starts.”
Mr Tudravu is also urging the public to take responsibility for their actions and to stop blaming the Police for everything.
Meanwhile, the Police investigation into the missing drug exhibit at the Namaka Police Station from last year continues.
“I am just leaving it to the investigators because there are a few leads that we are following, but it will come into light,” Mr Tudravu said.
We are paid to serve the people and that means customer service has to be a priority when wearing the blue uniform. Rusiate Tudravu Acting Commissioner of Police