The suspended Commissioner of Police, Sitiveni Qiliho, has officially resigned, paving the way for the selection of a new police chief. The Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) received his resignation last Thursday, although the specific motivations behind his decision remain unknown.
Qiliho was suspended on January 27, 2023, by President Ratu Willame Katonivere, following the advice of the COC, amid allegations of misconduct. During the suspension, he continued to receive his full salary while awaiting a tribunal hearing.
On May 9, 2023, Qiliho was found guilty and sentenced to two years in prison for abuse of office, in connection with former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. Bainimarama was charged with attempting to obstruct justice, while Qiliho was convicted for stopping an investigation related to the University of the South Pacific in July 2020.
Despite this conviction, the COC had been making arrangements for a tribunal to address the initial misconduct allegations, which were distinct from the charges leading to his conviction. Qiliho is also facing an additional charge of abuse of office in court.
Graham Leung, the Attorney-General and a member of the COC, 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 proceed with advertising the role,” Leung stated. He added that prior to this, they could not advance the process as Qiliho was still officially holding the position 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, as well as former senior officers Luke Navela and Rusiate Tudravu, and Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong-Chew.