Four police officers are facing serious charges, including assault causing actual bodily harm, rape, and receiving bribes. This alarming situation was noted in the Fiji Police Force’s Overall Crime Rate report for October. During this month, there were 22 incidents of serious assaults directed toward police personnel.
The report highlighted that most of the crime cases involved drug-related offenses, with 160 cases linked to marijuana, 20 to methamphetamine, and one to cocaine. Additionally, there has been a troubling 39 percent increase in crimes against children, with a notable 64 percent of these being sexual offenses. There was also a 17 percent rise in serious crimes overall, and a slight 0.5 percent uptick in offenses against women.
The statistics revealed concerning trends, particularly in domestic violence, where the report indicated that 36 percent of crimes against women were domestic in nature, with the majority of perpetrators being male family members. In total, the victims included 90 girls and 78 boys.
Despite these increases, there was a slight decrease in robbery and aggravated robbery cases. The surge in drug-related offenses was attributed to heightened activity in the Southern, Western, and Central Divisions, where law enforcement is intensifying their fight against illegal drug networks.
Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew emphasized that the rise in domestic violence and crimes against women and children is predominantly happening within families. He assured the public that the Fiji Police Force will continue collaborating with various stakeholders to tackle the root causes of these issues. Chew also stated that the increase in drug cases reflects ongoing efforts to combat illegal drug operations, bolstered by community support. He highlighted the importance of collective action for cultivating safer communities, with recent festive season operations illustrating this commitment.
This situation underscores the need for continued vigilance and community engagement in addressing these critical issues. As the Fiji Police Force works to implement strategies to combat such crimes, there is hope that with ongoing collaboration and community support, positive changes can be realized.
Leave a comment