The suspended Commissioner of Police, Sitiveni Qiliho, has resigned, paving the way for the appointment of a new chief of police. The Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) received his resignation last Thursday, although the reasons for his decision remain undisclosed.
Qiliho was suspended on January 27, 2023, by President Ratu Willame Katonivere upon the COC’s advice due to allegations of misconduct. He continued to receive full salary while awaiting a tribunal hearing.
On May 9, 2023, Qiliho was found guilty and sentenced to two years in prison for abuses of office, alongside former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, who faced charges of attempting to interfere with justice. Qiliho’s conviction was related to orders to pause an investigation into a University of the South Pacific issue in July 2020.
Even with his conviction, the COC had been preparing to initiate a tribunal for the initial misconduct allegations, which were distinct from those that led to his conviction. Qiliho is also dealing with another 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,” said Mr. Leung. “We couldn’t proceed earlier as he was still the substantive post holder despite his conviction.”
Potential candidates for the Commissioner of Police position are 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.