The Government has introduced the Fiji Police Bill 2026 to Parliament, a comprehensive overhaul designed to modernise policing powers, expand digital forensic capabilities and bolster accountability measures as authorities seek to better tackle organised and technologically enabled crime.
Presenting the Bill, Minister for Policing Ioane Naivalurua said Fiji required “modern legislation, professional policing, lawful powers, and the confidence of the communities that the police serve”. He told Parliament the legislation aimed to “balance modern law enforcement capability with democratic accountability, judicial oversight and the protection of constitutional rights and freedoms.” Key measures flagged by the minister include stronger investigative and enforcement powers, enhanced powers over digital devices and forensic evidence, explicit community policing provisions, and the creation of a Fiji Police Force Disciplinary Tribunal.
The Bill, Mr Naivalurua said, would establish “the lawful investigative framework necessary for combating serious organised criminal activity and modern transnational criminal networks.” He stressed that the expanded powers would remain subject to “legal thresholds, judicial oversight, proportionality, and constitutional safeguards,” signalling an emphasis on oversight alongside widened authority for investigators.
A sustained nationwide consultation process informed the drafting, the minister added. Officials held 46 in-person consultation sessions across all 14 provinces, engaging civil society groups, faith-based organisations and community stakeholders. That outreach appears intended to address public concerns about both capability and accountability as policing law is updated for new technological challenges.
Opposition MP Jone Usamate voiced support for the Bill in Parliament, saying Fiji had “been looking forward to this Bill for some time.” The demonstration of cross-bench interest may ease scrutiny but does not pre-empt detailed examination: the legislation has been referred to the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights for further review. That committee stage will provide the formal opportunity for submissions and potential amendments.
The Bill’s tabling comes against a backdrop of broader government moves to centralise and modernise investigative functions. Earlier this year Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka signalled plans to dismantle the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption and argued that existing arms of government, including the police, are capable of investigative duties — a shift that makes reforms to policing powers particularly consequential. Observers will be watching the committee process to see how safeguards and disciplinary mechanisms are shaped, and whether concerns raised during consultations are reflected in amendments before a final vote.