FIRST WORD
WE ARE VULNERABLE LIKE ALL OTHER COUNTRIES; the only difference is the scale of the problem where bigger countries are facing drug problems on a bigger scale while we smaller nations on a smaller scale.
The reputation of the Fiji Police precedes itself as one of the predominant leading law enforcement police agencies in the Pacific region.
This was the sentiment expressed by the President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Paul Cell during a meeting with the Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho in Nadi on Monday. Mr Cell is on a world tour of member countries as well as new policing institutions with the IACP’s Executive Director, Terrence Cunningham.
The IACP executives stopped over for a two-day visit to meet the head of the Fiji Police Force where Fiji’s inclusion in one of the world’s largest and most influential professional associations of Police leaders was announced. The IACP has more than 30,000 members in more than 150 countries and is known for its commitment in enhancing community safety by shaping the future of the Police profession.
Drugs One of the areas discussed for possible training opportunities was on the global fight against drugs where Fiji’s Commissioner of Police revealed plans of the establishment of a Narcotics Bureau.
“We have worked closely with various international law enforcement agencies to effectively deal with the illicit drug trade such as Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Indonesia and Republic of China and key to this will be the setting up of our Narcotics Bureau,” Brigadier-General Qiliho said.
The Commissioner highlighted how crucial partnerships with international policing associations such as INTERPOL, ASEANAPOL and now the IAPC will be, for the Pacific region in the war against drugs.
“We are vulnerable like all other countries; the only difference is the scale of the problem where bigger countries are facing drug problems on a bigger scale while we smaller nations on a smaller scale,” Brigadier General Qiliho said.
The IACP President concurred with the Fiji Commissioner’s statement, adding that the role of the association would be to improve
The Commissioner highlighted how crucial partnerships with international policing associations such as INTERPOL, ASEANAPOL and now the IAPC will be, for the Pacific region in the war against drugs.
networking and bring international policing agencies closer together.
“When it comes to law enforcement the world is flat as we are all facing the exact same issues and the closer we work together the better we are in addressing it,” Mr Cell said.
“What we offer is networking, connectivity and resources from 165 countries who have a myriad of subject matter experts for best practices around the world. Fiji’s global selfless voice Brigadier General Qiliho said Fiji’s inclusion as a member of the IACP would focus on enhancing Pacific law enforcement’s capabilities for the benefit of the region. The Commissioner of Police is expected to attend the 2019 IACP Conference in Chicago, Illinois, scheduled for October.