Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel has warned that further increases to the Fiji Police Force budget will depend on measurable improvements in performance, after residents of Nadi raised concerns about a lack of police presence during national budget consultations. Immanuel said the government has already boosted policing resources in recent years but that continued funding growth must be matched by results on the ground.
Addressing concerns voiced by Nadi residents, who told budget officials they feel unsafe in town and in residential areas, Immanuel said community-based policing initiatives are being developed to improve visibility and trust. “Yes, a lot of them had raised concerns about police presence in towns and residential areas,” he said, adding that while the latest funding increases should help, effectiveness must be assessed by police leadership. “We can’t keep on increasing the budget and the performance does not match the increase in budget,” he said, urging discussions with Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu and Minister of Policing Ioane Naivalurua on whether the additional resources are delivering the intended outcomes.
The 2025–2026 Fiji National Budget allocated $240.3 million to the Fiji Police Force — a $13.5 million rise intended to strengthen national security. That provision has allowed for the recruitment of more than 1,000 new officers, bringing total police personnel to more than 6,550, according to the finance ministry’s figures. Immanuel noted the extra funding also covers vehicle purchases and expanded recruitment, elements he said should improve community security if properly deployed.
In addition to the police force allocation, the budget sets aside $3.8 million for the Ministry of Policing to support operations aimed at rebuilding and strengthening public trust in law enforcement. Immanuel framed that money as part of a broader push to ensure policing initiatives are community-focused and accountable, but stressed the ultimate measure will be whether residents feel safer as a result.
The finance minister’s remarks mark the latest development in a run of budget consultations around the country, where communities have pressed the government on basic services and public safety. By linking future budget increases explicitly to performance, Immanuel signalled a tougher stance on fiscal accountability for security spending and placed responsibility on police leadership to demonstrate tangible improvements in crime prevention and community engagement.
Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu and Minister Ioane Naivalurua were identified by Immanuel as the officials with whom the effectiveness of the increased funding should be reviewed. While the police have outlined recruitment and visibility measures as part of their response to crime, Nadi residents and other communities will be watching for concrete changes in patrol presence, response times and outcomes as the new officers are integrated and community policing strategies roll out.
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