In a joint effort to improve investigative and prosecutorial capabilities in response to the rising crime rate in the country, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) are hosting a training program in Suva this week.
The training, which commenced on Monday at Suvavou House, involves participants including police investigators, staff from the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Fiji Revenue and Customs Services (FRCS), and prosecutors from the ODPP.
During the event, acting Commissioner of Police Sakeo Raikaci remarked that the training aims to equip investigators and prosecutors with the necessary understanding of information gathering and legal proceedings under the Proceeds of Crimes Act.
The training is structured into two sessions. AFP Senior Liaison Officer Detective Superintendent Adrian Morton indicated that the specialized training for Fiji will provide participants with effective tools to address issues related to money laundering and asset recovery.
“The AFP adopts the view that targeting financial gains and seizing assets will diminish the capacity of criminal organizations to profit from their activities,” Superintendent Morton noted. He expressed hope that the workshops would foster collaboration among agencies to improve the forfeiture of assets from those profiting from crime in Fiji.
Acting DPP Nancy Tikoisuva emphasized the importance of enhancing skills and building capacity to effectively tackle the surging crime rate.