Investigators are currently undergoing specialized training for interviewing children using the Video Recorded Interview (VRI) rooms, a program supported by the New Zealand Police as part of the Fiji Police Partnership Programme (FPPP).
The FPPP involves senior liaison officers from New Zealand working alongside the Fiji Police to enhance existing initiatives across four main areas: Training, Leadership, Dog Patrol, and Investigation.
This collaborative effort has made significant progress through ongoing training and capacity building, with the latest development being the launch of the Child Interview Course.
Once the training is completed, investigators will be equipped to conduct video-recorded interviews with children, and these recordings can be used as evidence in court.
Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Sakeo Raikaci emphasized the importance of this training to prevent further victimization of children. He noted, “Unfortunately, millions of children around the world face the threat of crime and sexual violence. Our children are also at substantial risk every day, as shown in our monthly statistics.”
He added that while the police are often responding to reports, the quality of investigations is critical in preventing crime and ensuring successful prosecutions, which sends a strong deterrent message.
Raikaci expressed gratitude to the New Zealand Police for their support in improving the Fiji Police Force’s capabilities in investigative interviewing through this VRI training initiative.