Fiji Sun

DPC North backs bid for Police Post

- JONE SALUSALU Feedback: jone.salusalu@fijisun.com.fj

With a police post to be constructe­d, it will mean our community outreach and visibility at ground level will increase.

SSP Kemueli Baledrokad­roka Divisional Police Commander North

Senior Superinten­dent of Police (SSP) Kemueli Baledrokad­roka supports the calls for another police post to be constructe­d and extra vehicles allocated to serve Taveuni.

Already there is a police station at Waiyevo Government Station and the other is at Matei Airport.

Lack of transport

With more than 16,000 people on the island, police only have one vehicle attending to daily reports from settlement­s and villages.

Last Friday, Divisional Police Commander (DPC) North, Baledrokad­roka revealed to farmers on Qila, Taveuni that his northern command office had proposed for another police post to be considered for the island.

“We’re looking into the issue of a police post in Vuna (South Taveuni) plus it will need a vehicle because right now there’s only one,” he said.

Minister for Rural and Maritime Developmen­t, Sakiasi Ditoka visited the island last week and it was brought to his attention by Taveuni station officer, Inspector Viliame Maivusa

There have been numerous dalo and yaqona theft cases lodged with the police, but so far, thieves have walked free since there isn’t enough police visibility on the island. “With a police post to be constructe­d, it will mean our community outreach and visibility at ground level will increase,” DPC Baledrokdr­oka said.

“Soon we’ll be pushing for one vehicle for Matei, once Vuna is up – then we will push for another vehicle to serve the people on that side of the island.”

 ?? Photo: Jone Salusalu ?? Divisional Police Commander (DPC) North, Senior Superinten­dent of Police (SSP) Kemueli Baledrokad­roka greets farmers of Qila in Taveuni on January 26, 2024.
Photo: Jone Salusalu Divisional Police Commander (DPC) North, Senior Superinten­dent of Police (SSP) Kemueli Baledrokad­roka greets farmers of Qila in Taveuni on January 26, 2024.

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