A seasoned lawyer is urging lawmakers to ensure that the overhaul of Fiji’s Police Act 1965 reinforces the autonomy of the Fiji Police Force rather than undermines it. Ana Rokomokoti, an Assistant Professor of Law at Fiji National University with more than 28 years of legal practice, emphasized the need for reform that distinctly separates policing from political and private interests.
Expressing her thoughts on the proposed amendments, Rokomokoti highlighted that perceived bias is actual bias. She cautioned that meticulous care is necessary to maintain the independence of the Commissioner’s office, stressing that the command and control should always be the purview of the police commissioner and free from political influence.
Rokomokoti warned against allowing undue influences like business sponsorship, political or diplomatic channels, security links, economic dependencies, and personal ties to seep into policing. She recommended cementing the hierarchy of the force in law to enhance accountability and prevent restructuring motivated by political motives.
While advocating for minimum qualifications for senior officers, Rokomokoti proposed ensuring comprehensive criteria without narrowing the applicant pool excessively. She also challenged proposals demanding biometric or DNA samples from recruits, labeling such measures as coercion masked as consent, potentially breaching privacy rights.
On the matter of arming the police, she noted that while they should remain unarmed except for ceremonial purposes, the rise of drug cartels and online crime necessitates stronger non-lethal tools and refined oversight mechanisms.
Her contributions come amid governmental consultations aimed at rebuilding public trust through a draft Police Bill, intended to clarify the role of the police force against growing security challenges.
The review of Fiji’s Police Act, initiated earlier, seeks to modernize the outdated legislation in line with contemporary crime challenges and human rights standards. Public consultations are being held to gather insights from the community and stakeholders to shape effective and accountable policing strategies. This reform effort underscores a commitment to balancing law enforcement capabilities with human rights, ensuring that the police force can respond adeptly to modern-day challenges while maintaining public confidence.
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