The Fiji Police Force has not conducted a Job Evaluation Exercise (JEE) in 22 years, according to Assistant Police Commissioner (Planning, Research and Doctrines) Aporosa Lutunauga. This information came to light during a presentation to Parliament’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence regarding the annual reports for 2020 and 2021. The disclosure followed a query from Assistant Health Minister Penioni Ravunawa, who highlighted concerns over police officers’ salaries and the potential for bribery.
ACP Lutunauga confirmed that the last JEE occurred in 2003, emphasizing the need for a new assessment due to the rising cost of living and various challenges faced by officers, including issues with domestic violence. Ravunawa expressed concern over the extended duration without a job evaluation, suggesting it is crucial for the committee to consider the implications of this gap.
During the presentation, ACP Lutunauga also outlined the financial management of the Fiji Police Force, reporting no loss of assets from the allocated $200.6 million budget for 2020-2021. He noted an increase in established staff expenditures of 2.25% or $2.8 million due to new recruits and other financial commitments. Additionally, purchases for goods saw a significant increase of 52.9% or $4.2 million compared to the previous year, primarily attributed to court witness fees and uniform expenditures.
The neglect of carrying out a JEE for such a prolonged period underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive review and reform within the policing structure, especially in light of the organizational challenges the Fiji Police Force is currently experiencing. Similar to the recent initiatives seen in the Fiji Corrections Services, where a JEE has led to the creation of new positions and updates in roles after several decades, there is hope that implementing a new evaluation for the police force can enhance operational efficiency, job satisfaction, and ultimately, public trust in law enforcement.
This situation presents an opportunity for the Fiji Police Force to modernize its operational framework, fostering a more transparent and efficient environment that meets contemporary policing challenges and community expectations.
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