The suspended Commissioner of Police, Sitiveni Qiliho, has officially resigned, paving the way for the appointment of a new police chief. The Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) acknowledged Qiliho’s resignation last Thursday, though the reasons for his decision remain undisclosed.
Qiliho was suspended on January 27, 2023, by President Ratu Willame Katonivere following advice from the COC, amid allegations of misconduct. He had been receiving full pay while awaiting a tribunal hearing.
On May 9, 2023, Qiliho was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison for abuse of office, alongside former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, who faced a separate charge for attempting to pervert the course of justice. Qiliho’s conviction was linked to an order he issued to stop an investigation regarding a University of the South Pacific issue in July 2020.
Despite his conviction, the COC had been preparing a tribunal to address the initial misconduct allegations, which were distinct from the charges leading to his conviction. He also faces another charge of abuse of office currently in court.
Attorney-General and COC member Graham Leung stated that Qiliho’s resignation eliminates the need for the tribunal. “Mr. Qiliho’s resignation creates a vacancy in the substantive position, allowing us to move forward with advertising the role,” Mr. Leung noted. “We couldn’t proceed earlier as he was still the substantive post holder despite his conviction.”
Potential candidates for the Commissioner of Police position include Unaisi Vuniwaqa, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Safety and Security, former senior police officers Luke Navela and Rusiate Tudravu, and Acting Commissioner Juki Fong-Chew.