The suspended Commissioner of Police, Sitiveni Qiliho, has officially resigned, paving the way for the appointment of a new chief. The Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) received Qiliho’s resignation last Thursday, although the reasons behind his decision remain unresolved.
Qiliho had been suspended on January 27, 2023, by President Ratu Willame Katonivere based on advice from the COC, and he was facing allegations of misconduct. While waiting for a tribunal hearing, he continued to receive his full salary.
On May 9, 2023, Qiliho was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison for abuse of office, alongside former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. Bainimarama was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, while Qiliho’s conviction related to his orders to halt an investigation involving the University of the South Pacific in July 2020.
Despite his conviction, the COC was preparing to initiate a tribunal to address misconduct allegations that were separate from the charges leading to his conviction. Qiliho also faces another abuse of office charge in court.
Attorney-General and COC member Graham Leung confirmed that Qiliho’s resignation makes the tribunal unnecessary. Leung stated, “Mr. Qiliho’s resignation creates a vacancy in the substantive position, allowing us to move forward with advertising the role. We couldn’t proceed earlier as he was still the substantive post holder despite his conviction.”
Potential candidates for the role of Commissioner of Police include Unaisi Vuniwaqa, the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Safety and Security, former senior police officers Luke Navela and Rusiate Tudravu, and Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong-Chew.