The suspended Commissioner of Police, Sitiveni Qiliho, has submitted his resignation, paving the way for a new leader in the police force. The Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) received Qiliho’s resignation last Thursday, although the reasons for his departure remain unspecified.
Qiliho had been suspended since January 27, 2023, when President Ratu Willame Katonivere acted on the advice of the COC due to allegations of misconduct. Despite the suspension, he continued to receive 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 was found guilty of attempting to obstruct justice.
Qiliho’s conviction was related to his directives to terminate an investigation concerning a matter at the University of the South Pacific from July 2020. Although he was convicted, the COC had been preparing to hold a tribunal to address the original misconduct allegations unrelated to the criminal charges against him. He is also facing additional abuse of office charges in court.
Attorney-General and COC member Graham Leung confirmed that with Qiliho’s resignation, the tribunal will no longer be necessary. He stated, “Mr. Qiliho’s resignation creates a vacancy in the substantive position, allowing us to move forward with advertising the role.” He added that progress could not be made earlier since Qiliho held the substantive position despite his conviction.
Potential candidates for the Commissioner of Police position include United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Safety and Security Unaisi Vuniwaqa, former senior police officers Luke Navela and Rusiate Tudravu, and Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong-Chew.