The Fiji Police Force, together with the British High Commission, and the United Nations is conducting a Video Interviewing Room workshop at the Fiji Police Academy in Nasova.

Acting Commissioner of Police Isikeli Ligairi said the Fiji Police and 40 participants from the four regions were grateful at the prospect of the Fiji Police Force having a Video Interviewing Room.

“We are delighted to host this training as we are constantly looking at ways of uplifting and strengthening our capacity and compliance in light of Fiji’s ratification of the United Nations Convention against Torture,” Acting Commissioner Ligairi said.

The workshop was financially supported by the United Nations Development Fund who funded expert Paul Essaum’s trip to come and conduct this training and the resident co-ordinator of the United Nations Development Programme Osnat Lubrani for making it possible.

“Like any new initiatives, there are bound to be some teething problems and since the start of the pilot project at the Criminal Investigations Department Headquarters, we have had to tighten some loose ends so that we are able to fully realise the positives of this concept,” Acting Commissioner Ligairi said.

British High Commissioner to Fiji, Melanie Hopkins said this was a welcome initiative from the Fijian Police Force supported by UNDP and the British government.

“The UK is proud to support the Government of Fiji and UN partners in implementing the commitments to the UN convention against torture.

“The UK has worked directly and indirectly in a significant number of countries in a role of video evidence particularly in the Commonwealth countries,” Ms Hopkins said

A pilot project is based at Totogo Police Station and the Police Force aims to operate video interview rooms in all stations around the country.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

Feedback:  paulini.ratulailai@fijisun.com.fj