The Commissioner for Police reminded his officers that they were now working in a society where people were aware of their rights and they were no longer going to keep silent.

The Commissioner, Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho, said this while launching the Police Custody Workshop at the Police Academy in Nasese yesterday.

He said officers needed to understand that they were no longer worked in isolation.

Brigadier-General Qiliho said they wouldn’t be excused if they are caught mistreating those who are in custody.

“Suspects are just like you and me. While they may have been caught on the wrong side of the law, remember the suspect you’re dealing breathes the same air as us, bleeds just like you and I, and needs food and water to survive,” he said.

Brigadier-General Qiliho also thanked the British Government, United Nations Development Fund and the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission for their continuous support.

He said since Fiji’s ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT), the nation has publicly declared their commitment to its implementation.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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