Auditor-General flags persistent exhibit storage issues at Valelevu Police Station
The Auditor-General has again raised concerns about how exhibits are stored at Valelevu Police Station, saying the problem is recurring and has not been addressed despite earlier recommendations. The focus is on proper storage of exhibits and the accuracy of their location.
Key findings from the 2023 Report on General Administration Sector include that exhibits should be kept in a secure exhibit store in chronological order, with a card system indicating the location of any exhibit stored elsewhere. A site visit on 13 April 2023 found the exhibit rooms at Valelevu to be small and congested, with exhibits not organized in chronological order. Investigators also observed articles stacked on top of one another and a storage container with a jammed lock that could not be opened during the audit. A follow-up visit on 24 January 2024 revealed no changes to the storage arrangements, and the same issues remained.
The report warned that inadequate storage space makes it difficult to maintain a systematic arrangement and could lead to damage or misplacement of exhibits. The Auditor-General recommended that the Police Force ensure all exhibits are stored in a safe and secured room at all times and kept in chronological order, with exhibit rooms clean and tidy.
In its response, the Force said that the Valelevu exhibit room issues had been noted and that Station Office Valelevu had been advised to submit a request for purchasing material to create shelves and a cabinet for the exhibit room.
Context and added value:
– This isn’t an isolated concern. Recent reporting from Fiji’s policing and governance coverage has highlighted ongoing efforts to upgrade detention and custody facilities and to strengthen infrastructure and asset management across police facilities, including collaborations with government and international partners to modernize the sector.
– The current exhibit-storage issue underscores broader calls for improved storage solutions, inventory controls, and facility upgrades within the police service to prevent loss, damage, or misplacement of valuable evidence and to support transparent, accountable policing.
What to watch next:
– Whether Valelevu Station submits and secures funding for shelving, cabinets, and any other required storage upgrades.
– Any follow-up audits or official updates on progress to reorganize and secure exhibit storage across facilities.
– Broader timelines for facility improvements and how they align with budget cycles and governance priorities.
Summary:
The Auditor-General’s latest findings at Valelevu Police Station reflect persistent gaps in exhibit storage that could affect evidence integrity. The Force has indicated plans to procure shelving and cabinets, signaling a move toward addressing the deficiencies. This episode fits into a wider pattern of ongoing reform efforts aimed at improving police infrastructure and asset management to bolster accountability and public trust. A hopeful note is that continued attention and funding could lead to safer, more organized evidence handling in the near term.
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