In a collaborative effort to improve investigative and prosecutorial skills amidst rising crime rates, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) is partnering with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to conduct a training program in Suva this week.
The training commenced on Monday at Suvavou House and is being attended by police investigators, members of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), staff from the Fiji Revenue and Customs Services (FRCS), and prosecutors from the ODPP.
During the opening of the event, acting Commissioner of Police Sakeo Raikaci emphasized that the training aims to help investigators and prosecutors understand information gathering and legal proceedings under the Proceeds of Crimes Act.
The training is structured into two sessions. AFP senior liaison officer, Detective Superintendent Adrian Morton, remarked that the specialized training tailored for Fiji will equip investigators and prosecutors with efficient tools to tackle money laundering and asset confiscation issues. Superintendent Morton stated, “The AFP has adopted the belief that following the money trail and seizing assets will undermine the ability of crime syndicates to profit from their activities.”
With the two workshops scheduled for this week, he expressed optimism that collaboration among agencies will enhance the ability of investigators and litigators to confiscate assets from individuals benefiting from crime in Fiji. Acting DPP Nancy Tikoisuva further emphasized the importance of building capacity to improve skills necessary to manage the escalating crime rate.