The Fiji Police Force has reaffirmed its commitment to its responsibilities under the Counter Narcotics Strategy, which focuses on reducing drug supply through both proactive and reactive policing methods.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations, Livai Driu, addressed concerns regarding allegations of police inaction regarding the arrests of individuals involved in the illegal drug trade. He stated, “We are making arrests almost on a daily basis, and this is a reflection of our ongoing efforts. Every arrest and seizure contributes to our overall reduction efforts.”
Driu emphasized that all information received is thoroughly evaluated and acted upon in a timely manner. He noted that the nature of drug operations can vary, and some operations require more time to ensure successful prosecutions. Several specialized units, including the Fiji Detector Dog Unit, the FPF K9 Unit, and the Serious Organized Crime and Intelligence Unit, support divisional operations.
In addition to enforcement, officers are also focused on proactive policing by engaging various sectors of the community. Driu highlighted the significant role the community plays in this effort, noting a positive shift in collaboration between law enforcement and residents. He reported an increase in community awareness initiatives following numerous invitations from the public to participate in such efforts.
Driu encouraged community members to collaborate with their Crime Prevention Committees and Neighbourhood Watch Zones through their respective Divisional Managers for Community Policing.
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