Serious allegations have been made against five police officers who were charged last month with sexual offenses, assault, drug-related crimes, and violating a Domestic Violence Restraining Order.
Acting Commissioner of Police Sakeo Raikaci emphasized in a statement that police officers can also be victims of crime, particularly while performing their duties.
“Last month, there were 25 cases of serious assaults on police officers, one incident of an officer facing obstruction while carrying out their responsibilities, and nine instances of resisting arrest,” Raikaci noted.
The Fiji Police Force acknowledged the difficulties of policing, highlighting that officers put their lives at risk daily while on duty.
Raikaci remarked that facing such challenges is inherent to their role, and they are dedicated to addressing these issues for the benefit of the community.
He reported a 17 percent decrease in the overall crime rate compared to the previous month of July, indicating successful collaborative efforts between the police and the community in tackling crime.
The Acting Commissioner expressed gratitude for the commitments made by religious and community leaders to aid in crime reduction.
“Community and religious leaders must maintain this momentum and continually seek ways to enhance collaboration for safer neighborhoods. There is strength in numbers, and together we can reduce illegal activities and safeguard our women, children, and vulnerable populations by reporting suspicious activities and crimes,” ACP Raikaci stated.