Fiji Police Roll Out Human Rights Training to Rebuild Community Trust

Thirty officers from Fiji’s Western Division have completed a three-day human rights training as part of a nationwide push to rebuild trust between police and communities. The program covered conflict de-escalation, identifying hate speech, responsible use of force, and the rights of vulnerable groups, with guidance provided by the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission and the Online Safety Commission.

UN human rights adviser Heike Alefsen underscored the central premise of the reform effort: safe communities are built on trust, not coercion. Local leaders echoed the message, stressing that policing must be grounded in dignity and accountability as the backbone of effective law enforcement.

This Western Division training is part of a broader reform agenda launched in April, which has already reached more than 200 officers across the country. The initiative aligns with international human rights standards and Fiji’s Restore Blue reform framework, aiming to integrate empathy, accountability, and community partnership into day-to-day policing.

The training comes amid ongoing reviews of use-of-force policies and the development of stronger accountability mechanisms, with international partners emphasizing that trust and professional conduct are essential to effective policing. As Fiji continues to roll out these reforms, communities can expect improved de-escalation capabilities, greater protection for women, children, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups, and heightened awareness of online safety and expression rights.

Looking ahead, observers suggest publishing post-training outcomes to track real-world de-escalation cases, community engagement metrics, and any shifts in incident responses or use-of-force trends. Maintaining strong ties with international partners and sustaining leadership development across divisions will be key to preserving reform momentum and accountability.

Overall, the Western Division’s human rights–focused training signals a hopeful trajectory for Fiji’s police reform—one that emphasizes professionalism, dignity, and service to the public, with the goal of building safer, more cohesive communities.