The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) are collaborating on a training program in Suva this week aimed at improving investigative and prosecutorial skills to address the rising crime rates in the country. The program, which began on Monday at Suvavou House, is attended by police investigators, staff from the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Fiji Revenue and Customs Services (FRCS), and ODPP prosecutors.
Acting Commissioner of Police Sakeo Raikaci stated that the training aims to help participants understand information gathering and litigation as outlined in the Proceeds of Crimes Act.
The training consists of two sessions, and AFP senior liaison officer Detective Superintendent Adrian Morton noted that the specialized training for Fiji will equip investigators and prosecutors with vital tools to tackle issues of money laundering and asset confiscation. Superintendent Morton emphasized that the AFP believes that tracing money and seizing assets diminishes crime syndicates’ ability to profit from criminal activities.
He added that the two workshops scheduled for this week are expected to foster collaboration among agencies, aiding investigators and litigators in enhancing the forfeiture of assets from individuals benefiting from crimes in Fiji. Acting DPP Nancy Tikoisuva pointed out the importance of building capacities to improve skills necessary for controlling the rapidly increasing crime rate.