Summary of the Motion
- The Fiji Police Bill 2026 will repeal and replace the Fiji Police Act 1965 with a modern legislative framework that responds effectively to Fiji’s present and emerging policing and security needs.
- The Bill introduces four key reforms: (1) enhanced investigation and enforcement powers; (2) strengthened digital investigation and forensic capabilities; (3) formalised community policing arrangements; and (4) the establishment of the Fiji Police Force Disciplinary Tribunal.
- These reforms will strengthen the Fiji Police Force’s capacity to address serious organised crime, transnational criminal activity and technology-enabled offences, while ensuring that its powers remain subject to legal thresholds, judicial oversight, proportionality requirements and constitutional safeguards.
- The Bill also strengthens accountability through an independent disciplinary and appeals process, while promoting closer partnerships between the Fiji Police Force, traditional and community leaders, faith-based and civil society organisations, women, youth and other stakeholders.
- These reforms provide a collaborative, prevention-focused and whole-of-society approach to crime prevention, public safety and community resilience.
Response to Motion
- Mister Speaker Sir, I rise to contribute to the debate on the Fiji Police Bill 2026.
- This Bill represents an important step in modernising one of our nation’s most critical institutions. By repealing and replacing the Police Act 1965, we are establishing a contemporary legislative framework that responds to the changing security needs of Fiji and strengthens the ability of the Fiji Police Force to protect our people and uphold the rule of law.
- The responsibility of Government is not only to protect our people from crime, but also to ensure that those entrusted with enforcing the law exercise their authority lawfully, professionally and accountably. The Bill must therefore deliver two equally important outcomes: a stronger Police Force and greater protection of the rights and freedoms of every Fijian.
Modern Policing and National Security
- Mister Speaker Sir, the nature of crime has changed. Organised crime, drug trafficking, cybercrime, transnational criminal networks and technology-enabled offences present increasingly complex challenges to our national security.
- Our Police Force must have the modern investigative tools, digital capabilities, forensic expertise and operational capacity required to respond to these threats. We cannot expect our officers to confront modern criminal networks using a legislative framework established more than 60 years ago.
- The Bill provides an important foundation for strengthening these capabilities. It also supports closer cooperation with other law enforcement agencies and relevant national and international partners in addressing criminal activities that extend beyond our borders.
- However, stronger enforcement powers must always be accompanied by clear legal limits. The authority of the Police must remain firmly grounded in the Constitution, the rule of law and respect for the rights of individuals.
Constitutional Safeguards and Police Independence
- Mister Speaker Sir, the strength of our policing system is measured not simply by the powers available to Police officers, but by the integrity with which those powers are exercised.
- The provisions relating to arrests, searches, surveillance, digital investigations and forensic procedures must therefore be applied with clear legal thresholds, appropriate judicial oversight and the principles of necessity and proportionality.
- The Parliamentary Committee’s review has considered these concerns and recommended amendments to strengthen safeguards. In particular, the proposed removal of the provision allowing warrantless arrest solely because a person is about to commit an offence reflects the importance of ensuring that police powers are properly defined and exercised.
- We must also protect the operational independence of the Fiji Police Force. The Minister responsible for Policing has an important responsibility for general policy direction, while the Commissioner is responsible for the command, management and operational deployment of the Force, consistent with the Constitution.
- This distinction is fundamental. The Police must serve the people and uphold the law without political interference, favour or prejudice. No individual or institution should be above the law, and no policing power should be used for purposes other than those authorised by law.
Integrity, Accountability and Professionalism
- Mister Speaker Sir, public confidence is the foundation of effective policing. Our people must have confidence that complaints will be heard, misconduct will be investigated and officers will be held accountable where they act outside the law.
- The establishment of the Fiji Police Force Disciplinary Tribunal is an important step towards strengthening fairness and accountability within the Force. The formal appeals process also provides an additional safeguard in the administration of police discipline.
- However, accountability must extend beyond internal disciplinary arrangements. Members of the public must have accessible and credible channels to report police misconduct, receive timely responses and be protected from intimidation or retaliation.
- The Committee’s recommendation for a response to complaints within 30 days is a positive step. We must continue to strengthen transparency, independent oversight and appropriate remedies so that accountability is real and not simply provided for in legislation.
- Equally, the welfare and professionalism of our officers must remain a priority. This includes continuous training, ethical leadership, appropriate working conditions, psychological support and the development of a disciplined and capable workforce.
Community Partnership and Crime Prevention
- Mister Speaker Sir, policing cannot be effective if it is disconnected from the communities it serves. The responsibility for maintaining peace and preventing crime cannot rest with the Police alone.
- The Bill provides a formal framework for community policing and stronger partnerships with traditional leaders, faith-based organisations, civil society, women, young people and other community stakeholders.
- This is particularly important for our rural, maritime and remote communities, where strong local partnerships can improve communication, strengthen early intervention and support the prevention of crime.
- Our village constables and community policing committees should serve as important links between the Police and the communities. Their roles must be clearly defined, supported by appropriate training and subject to proper Police supervision. Community participation must strengthen the rule of law, not create parallel or unaccountable enforcement structures.
- We must also recognise that crime prevention requires more than enforcement. It requires addressing the conditions that contribute to offending, including drug abuse, poverty, unemployment, family breakdown and the vulnerability of our young people.
- Government will continue to work with communities, schools, families, traditional institutions and relevant agencies to strengthen prevention, rehabilitation and reintegration. A safer Fiji requires both effective law enforcement and stronger social support systems.
Implementation and Institutional Capacity
- Mister Speaker Sir, passing this Bill is an important beginning, but its success will ultimately be measured by its implementation.
- The Fiji Police Force must be equipped with the necessary financial resources, skilled personnel, modern technology, forensic capabilities and infrastructure to give effect to the new legislative framework.
- We must also strengthen inter-agency coordination and ensure that digital and forensic evidence is collected, managed and protected to the highest professional standards. This is essential to ensuring that investigations are credible and that prosecutions are supported by reliable evidence.
- Implementation must be properly planned, adequately resourced and supported by clear procedures, regulations and ongoing training. We must ensure that the new law translates into improved policing services and better outcomes for the people of Fiji.
Conclusion
- Mister Speaker Sir, the Fiji Police Bill 2026 is about more than replacing an outdated law. It is about building a modern, professional and accountable Police Force that is capable of protecting our people and responding to the security challenges of today and tomorrow.
- Our position must remain clear: we support strong policing, but not policing without accountability; we support modern investigative powers, but not powers without safeguards; and we support effective law enforcement, but always within the rule of law.
- The confidence of our people is earned through professionalism, integrity, fairness and service. The success of this legislation will therefore depend not only on the powers it provides, but on the standards of conduct, accountability and public trust that it establishes.
- With those remarks, Mister Speaker Sir, I support the Fiji Police Bill 2026 for its Third (3rd) Reading and passage in this August House.
Thank you, Mister Speaker Sir.
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