UN Delegation Visits Police Facilities

Visit was a follow up on the pledge made by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama to send more officers for UN missions.

AUnited Nations delegation has been conducting an assessment and advisory visit of Fiji Police force facilities and capabilities.

The team is led by Adam Smith from the UN’s Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the delegation consists of Shahab Uddin, from the UN Department of Field Supplies; Jillian Farmer the Chief medical officer of the UN Field Supplies; Qader Al Habahbeh, UN Police Division HQ; and Roman Polyvoda UNMISS HQ.

The purpose of the assessment visit is for the team to inspect the facilities and capabilities in accordance with a mandatory process for all Police Contributing Countries (PCC) to determine the viability of the Fiji UN peacekeeping pledges.

The UN Team paid a courtesy call on the Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho before conducting their assessment tour. Team leader Mr Smith said the visit was a follow up on the pledge made by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama to send more officers for UN missions.

“I was present when your Prime Minister made the pledge and we were thrilled by the enthusiasm from Fiji to deploy more officers despite your size and limited resources. You were keen on doing as much as you can,” Mr Smith said.

“Please see this visit as our interest in following through the pledge made by your (Prime Minister’s) visit.” The team witnessed a series of drills and scenarios enacted by the Formed Police Unit (FPU) capabilities and potential Guard Unit at the Police Special Response Unit in Eight Miles, Nasinu.

“It’s been a tremendous display of Fiji police capabilities from the FPU and we have been impressed with the tremendous enthusiasm shown with the training conducted so far,” Mr Smith said.

The team also visited the Forensics Unit and the CID HQ noting interests from the UN Police Divisions for potential deployment of Investigators and Forensics to assist in UN led investigations when required. An observer delegation from the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary was also present during the assessment tour as they had showed interest in the area of peacekeeping and Fiji’s capabilities to provide training.