The suspended Commissioner of Police, Sitiveni Qiliho, has resigned, paving the way for the selection of a new police chief. The Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) received Qiliho’s resignation last Thursday; however, the reasons behind his decision have not been disclosed.
Qiliho was suspended on January 27, 2023, by President Ratu Willame Katonivere based on the COC’s advice, amid allegations of misconduct. He continued to receive full salary while waiting for a tribunal hearing.
On May 9, 2023, Qiliho was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison for abuse of office, alongside former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, who was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice. Qiliho’s conviction stemmed from directives he issued to stop an investigation related to the University of the South Pacific in July 2020.
Despite his conviction, the COC had been preparing to hold a tribunal to address separate misconduct allegations against Qiliho. He also faces an additional abuse of office charge in court.
Attorney-General and COC member Graham Leung confirmed that Qiliho’s resignation makes the tribunal unnecessary. “Mr. Qiliho’s resignation creates a vacancy in the substantive position, allowing us to move forward with advertising the role,” Leung stated. “We couldn’t proceed earlier as he was still the substantive post holder despite his conviction.”
Potential candidates for the next Commissioner of Police 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.