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____________________________________________ STANDING COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE Review of the Fiji Police Force Annual Report August 2018 – July 2019 PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI Parliamentary Paper No.
64 of 2022 March 2023 _______________________________________________________________________________________ Published and Printed by the Department of Legislature, Parliament House, SUVA Table of Contents Chairperson’s Foreword .......................................................................................................... 3 Acronyms ................................................................................................................................... 5 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 6 1.1 1.2 1.3 Background and Terms of Reference .................................................................................. 6 Committee Remit and Composition .................................................................................... 6 Procedure and Program ....................................................................................................... 6 2.0 Committee Deliberation and Analysis ......................................................................... 7 2.1 2.2 Committee Findings .............................................................................................................. 7 Challenges .............................................................................................................................. 8 3.0 Gender Analysis ............................................................................................................. 9 4.0 Recommendations ........................................................................................................ 10 5.0 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 11 6.0 Members’ Signature .................................................................................................... 12 7.0 Appendices ................................................................................................................... 13 REVIEW REPORT OF THE FIJI POLICE FORCE ANNUAL REPORT AUGUST 2018-JULY 2019 2 Chairperson’s Foreword I am pleased to present the Review Report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence (FAD) on the Fiji Police Force Annual Report August 2018 –July 2019.
This report was reinstated from the previous Parliament term.

The Standing Committee is established under Section 109 (2) (e) of the Standing Orders (SO) of the Parliament of the Republic of Fiji.

The purpose of the review was to scrutinise the performance of the Fiji Police Force (FPF) for the fiscal year August 2018 to July 2019 in tandem with its operations and administration.
The strategic theme “Synchronizing Institutional Effectiveness” undertaken by the Institution looks at the Annual Operational Plan for the above fiscal year measured against the activities and strategies through five (5) core ouputs and ten(10) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that will align and contribute towards the national outcome of maintaining law and order.
The Committee recognises the previous Governments intent of progressively resourcing the FPF Modern Police Organisation through budgetary allocations with the key emphasis on safety and security at the national level.

The Committee after reviewing the report identified pertinent issues confronting the FPF Institution today.

Some of the issues identified and observed are: 1.


The Committee noted that the use of the latest satellite, geo-spatial, drone and communication technologies would assist the FPF and partner agencies to address the chronic traffic congestion on Fiji Roads.

2.

The Committee noted that there were not enough senior positions held by women.

Despite the FPF’s attempts there is still space to increase the number of women in senior positions within the force.

3.
3.

The Committee noted that there is an increasing prevalence of Crimes against Women and Children and Suicide in Fiji’s society as reflected in the reporting period and will warrant positive intervention measures.

4.

The Committee noted that in recent times next of kin have not been able to process or procure legal claims or ownership to death and insurance benefits, due to the “cases of seven (7) years’ absence” clause where no statute applies.
Therefore there are merits to recommending for the changes to the law, where it be amended to the existing framework (Inquest Act 1967) or creating a new piece of legislation as in the case of the UK, where they have introduced the Presumption of Death Act.

REVIEW REPORT OF THE FIJI POLICE FORCE ANNUAL REPORT AUGUST 2018-JULY 2019 3 5.

The Committee noted that the FPF is continuing with its Five (5) Year Reform and Restructure Project.

6.
6.

The Committee notes the initial development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in the Fiji Police Force emanated from the initiative of the then Strategic Framework for Change Coordinating Office (SFCCO) in 2009.

The fiscal year under review warrants an evaluation of the KPIs aligned to the NDP Twenty Year Development Plan 2017- 2036 goals of Government.

7.

The Committee notes that the Annual Report does not provide gender disaggregated data.
The Committee commends the good work of the organisation in progressing this Annual Report.

While applauding the achievements of the FPF Institution, the Committee had identified some opportunities for improvements; these are outlined in the report.

I take this opportunity to thank the Commissioner and all staff including officers on missions areas abroad and their families for a job well done and their dedication to securing the nation for all Fijians and visitors to our shores.
I take this opportunity to also acknowledge and thank members of the previous Committee for the work that they had undertaken towards compiling this bipartisan report.

On behalf of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, I submit this report to the Parliament.
REVIEW REPORT OF THE FIJI POLICE FORCE ANNUAL REPORT AUGUST 2018-JULY 2019 4 Acronyms FDDU FPF FRCS PLO SDG UN SAAT SFD SO Fiji Dog Detector Unit Fiji Police Force Fiji Revenue Customs Service Police Liaison Officer Sustainable Development Goal United Nations Assessment of Individual Police Officers for Service in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and Special Political Missions Security Forces Division Standing Order SOLAS Safety of Life at Sea UAVs Unmanned Aerial Vehicles REVIEW REPORT OF THE FIJI POLICE FORCE ANNUAL REPORT AUGUST 2018-JULY 2019 5 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Background and Terms of Reference The Committee had reviewed the Fiji Police Force Annual Report August 2018-July 2019 fiscal year, human resource and force development and the overall administration.
On 14th June 2022, the FPF Executives made a presentation to the Committee on the operations and administration of the above reporting period.

In summary, the information for this report was obtained through a thorough Committee assessment of the FPF Annual Report and an oral presentations by the FPF executives.

The Report is divided into three parts: I. II.

III.
III.

Part One - focuses on the Background Part Two - covers the Findings, Challenges and Recommendations of the report to Parliament Part Three - covers the Conclusion.

1.2 Committee Remit and Composition Pursuant to Standing Order 109 (2) (e) the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence is mandated to look into matters related to Fiji’s relations with other countries, development aid, foreign direct investment, oversight of the military and relations with multi-lateral organisations.
The members of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence are as follows: 1.2.1 Hon.

Viliame Naupoto – Chairperson 1.2.2 Hon.

Lenora Qereqeretabua - Deputy Chairperson 1.2.3 Hon.

Jovesa Vocea – Member 1.2.4 Hon.

Isikeli Tuiwailevu – Member 1.2.5 Hon.


Ioane Naivalurua –Member 1.3 Procedure and Program The previous Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence commenced its deliberations on the 23rd May 2022 and received a written and oral submission from the FPF Executives on 14th June 2022 with the following attendees:  Assistant Commissioner of Police Strategic Planning and Internal Affairs, ACP.

Aporosa Lutunauga;  Acting Director Strategic Planning SP.
Pauliasi Colamoto;  Senior Accounts Officer Mrs Manaini Mills;  Senior Research Officer Mr Harpreet Singh.

REVIEW REPORT OF THE FIJI POLICE FORCE ANNUAL REPORT AUGUST 2018-JULY 2019 6 2.0 Committee Deliberation and Analysis 2.1 Committee Findings The Committee’s findings are outlined below: 1.

The Committee noted that the use of the latest satellite, geo-spatial, drone and communication technologies would assist the FPF and partner agencies to address the chronic traffic congestion on Fiji Roads.

2.
2.

The Committee noted that there were not enough senior positions held by women.

Despite the FPF’s attempts there is still space to increase the number of women in senior positions within the force.

3.

The Committee noted that there is an increasing prevalence of Crimes against Women and Children and Suicide in Fiji’s society as reflected in the reporting period and will warrant positive intervention measures.

4.
4.

The Committee noted that in recent times next of kin have not been able to process or procure legal claims or ownership to death and insurance benefits, due to the “cases of seven (7) years’ absence” clause where no statute applies.

Therefore there are merits to recommending for the changes to the law, where it be amended to the existing framework (Inquest Act 1967) or creating a new piece of legislation as in the case of the UK, where they have introduced the Presumption of Death Act.

5.
5.

The Committee noted that the FPF is continuing with its Five (5) Year Reform and Restructure Project.

6.

The Committee notes the initial development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in the Fiji Police Force emanated from the initiative of the then Strategic Framework for Change Coordinating Office (SFCCO) in 2009.

The fiscal year under review warrants an evaluation of the KPIs aligned to the NDP Twenty Year Development Plan 2017- 2036 goals of Government.

7.
7.

The Committee notes that the Annual Report does not provide gender disaggregated data.

REVIEW REPORT OF THE FIJI POLICE FORCE ANNUAL REPORT AUGUST 2018-JULY 2019 7 2.2 Challenges The Committee noted some of the challenges faced by the FPF during this reporting period and are outlined below: 1.

The investment in the acquisition of UAVs (drones) to monitor traffic flow.

2.

Career path planning for all officers after passing out is a necessity, along with succession planning.
The Force could do better in incentivising young women to see the Force as a preferred career choice.

The FPF can attract the best talent in Fiji through clear career paths and direction beginning with the Police Academy and throughout the officers’ entire tenure of service.

The Women’s Policing Network could receive more support.

3.
3.

Behavioural change is a whole of society responsibility therefore the FPF is required to strengthen its community outreach and awareness programmes with the support of other stakeholders.
REVIEW REPORT OF THE FIJI POLICE FORCE ANNUAL REPORT AUGUST 2018-JULY 2019 8 3.0 Gender Analysis The Parliament of Fiji Standing Order 110 (2) requires the Committee to give full consideration to the principle of gender equality so as to ensure all matters are considered with regard to the impact and benefit on both men and women.

The Committee notes that the Annual Report does not provide gender disaggregated data.
The Committee recommends that the FPF provides a gender policy and gender disaggregated data in its future reports.

REVIEW REPORT OF THE FIJI POLICE FORCE ANNUAL REPORT AUGUST 2018-JULY 2019 9 4.0 Recommendations The Committee recommends the following: Recommendation 1:  The Committee recommends that the FPF continues to invest in new technologies that would assist FPF and partner agencies to address the chronic traffic congestion on Fiji Roads.
Recommendation 2:  The Committee recommends that FPF continues to provide women officers to undertake necessary training opportunities to advance their career in the force.

 The Committee further recommends that those trainings to include Leadership, Mental Health and Stress as identified by the FPF Women’s Network.

Recommendation 3:  The Committee recommends the urgent amendment of the Inquest Act 1967.
In its current form, the Act does not specify any period of time during which a person should have been missing before he or she can be presumed by law to be dead.

Recommendation 4:  The Committee recommends that the FPF provides a gender policy and gender disaggregated data in its future reports.
REVIEW REPORT OF THE FIJI POLICE FORCE ANNUAL REPORT AUGUST 2018-JULY 2019 10 5.0 Conclusion The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence has fulfilled its mandate approved by Parliament which was to scrutinise the FPF Annual Report August 2018- July 2019 fiscal year.

The Committee has conducted its review and formulated the findings with regards to the FPF performance.
The Committee also took the initiative and opportunity to highlight in its report to Parliament issues that currently challenge the organisation today.

The Committee report is bi-partisan and contributions from both sides have provided the final report.

The key areas highlighted by the Committee in its findings would improve the overall performance of the organisation in the future.
REVIEW REPORT OF THE FIJI POLICE FORCE ANNUAL REPORT AUGUST 2018-JULY 2019 11 6.0 Members’ Signature REVIEW REPORT OF THE FIJI POLICE FORCE ANNUAL REPORT AUGUST 2018-JULY 2019 12 7.0 Appendices All written and transcribed evidences gathered during the public submissions will be made accessible on the Parliament website on: http://www.parliament.gov.fj/committees/standing-committee-on-foreign-affairs-and- defence/ No Date Agency/Organisation Written Evidence Oral Evidence 1 14/06/22 Fiji Police Force   REVIEW REPORT OF THE FIJI POLICE FORCE ANNUAL REPORT AUGUST 2018-JULY 2019 13