A separate team at the Criminal Investigations Department has been established to examine claims that police officers may have been involved in the death of Police Constable Peniasi Racagi, Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu announced today. The move is intended to ensure the allegations are pursued independently and with senior oversight, Tudravu said, as public concern and social media speculation continue to swirl around the case.
Tudravu told reporters the newly formed CID unit is headed by senior investigators and has been tasked with following up on any information or leads related to alleged police involvement. “I am again urging the public to trust the process,” he said, stressing that investigators must comply with established procedures before bringing people in for questioning so as not to compromise the case. He rejected suggestions that investigators were being selective, saying silence should not be interpreted as complicity or an effort to protect officers.
The Commissioner reiterated the force’s stance that police officers are not above the law. “If there is sufficient credible evidence, police will pursue charges,” Tudravu said, underlining the principle of equal accountability. He also encouraged members of the public who may have relevant information to use official reporting channels, assuring them that tips would be treated confidentially. The Fiji Police Force has directed those with information to call the Fiji Police Headquarters Call Centre on 1681.
The announcement follows earlier statements from police that sought to counter circulating social media claims linking officers to Racagi’s death. In previous coverage, authorities dismissed reports that a third suspect in the case was a serving officer, noting that the individual in question had been questioned and subsequently released while investigators continued to assess evidence. Police also moved to dispel rumours about missing people connected to the inquiry, saying those individuals were safe.
By explicitly tasking a separate CID team with the matter and placing senior investigators in charge, the police appear to be responding to public demand for transparent, independent scrutiny. Tudravu acknowledged the intense public interest and said the force was pursuing all credible avenues of inquiry, while cautioning against speculative posts that could hinder the investigative process.
The establishment of the CID team marks the latest development in what has been a closely watched investigation. With the force asking the public to come forward through confidential channels and pledging to act on credible evidence regardless of an individual’s status, authorities say they aim to balance thorough investigative practice with the need to restore public confidence as inquiries progress.
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