Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu has moved to quell public concerns that investigators are treating the death of Police Constable Peniasi Racagi differently because police may be implicated, announcing a separate Criminal Investigations Department (CID) team has been set up to examine any allegations involving officers.
Tudravu said investigators are pursuing every lead in the case and denied claims that authorities are being selective. “Silence does not mean we are being complicit and trying to hide the truth or protect officers involved,” he said, adding that if there is “sufficient credible evidence, we will pursue charges, as police officers are equally accountable to the law.” He also urged members of the public to come forward with information through official channels, assuring that tips will be handled confidentially.
The commissioner stressed that the investigation teams are led by senior investigators and are following strict procedures to protect the integrity of the case. “There are processes investigators must comply with before bringing people in for questioning so that the case is not compromised,” Tudravu said, repeating an earlier call for the public to “trust the process.” He encouraged anyone with information to contact the Fiji Police Headquarters Call Centre.
The clarification comes after the body of Constable Racagi, 24, was found in Lami on February 21. The discovery prompted immediate inquiries by the Fiji Police Force and widespread reaction on social media from family, colleagues and members of the public. On March 3, two men from Qauia in Lami — aged 42 and 20 — were formally charged with murder following consultation with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and were remanded in custody ahead of court appearances.
Despite the charges, questions persisted in the community about whether investigators would fully scrutinise any potential involvement of fellow officers. Tudravu’s statement is the latest development aimed at addressing those concerns by creating a distinct internal CID team to handle allegations that touch on police personnel, a step intended to emphasise impartiality and avoid conflicts of interest.
The commissioner’s assurances reflect a balancing act between safeguarding investigative procedure and responding to public demand for transparency. By stressing senior oversight and confidentiality for informants, the force seeks to preserve evidentiary standards while encouraging witnesses to come forward without fear of reprisal.
As formal charges proceed against the two accused, the separate CID team will be responsible for any inquiries that directly involve police officers. The establishment of that team, and Tudravu’s pledge to pursue charges where evidence warrants, marks the most significant procedural update since the initial discovery and the subsequent murder charges — an effort by the Fiji Police Force to demonstrate accountability amid intense public scrutiny.
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