The suspended Commissioner of Police, Sitiveni Qiliho, has submitted his resignation, paving the way for the appointment of a new police chief. The Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) received Qiliho’s resignation last Thursday, though the reasons for his departure have not been disclosed.
Qiliho was suspended on January 27, 2023, by President Ratu Willame Katonivere on the advice of the COC, following allegations of misconduct. During the suspension, he continued to receive his full salary while awaiting a tribunal hearing.
On May 9, 2023, he was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison for abuse of office, alongside former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, who faced charges related to attempting to obstruct justice. Qiliho’s conviction was linked to directives he issued to cease an investigation concerning the University of the South Pacific in July 2020.
Despite his conviction, the COC had been preparing to hold a tribunal to address other misconduct allegations that were unrelated to the charges for which he was found guilty. Additionally, Qiliho still faces a separate abuse of office charge in court.
Attorney-General and COC member Graham Leung confirmed 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,” said Mr. Leung. “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, the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Safety and Security; former police officers Luke Navela and Rusiate Tudravu; and Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong-Chew.