Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama yesterday told the new Police recruits that Fijians expected more from them and that corruption in the force was unacceptable.

He was speaking during the Fiji Police Basic Recruits Course passing out parade at the Nasova Police Academy where 137 new recruits graduated.

Of the 137, five were from Tuvalu and the other five were from Nauru.

Mr Bainimarama’s comments came after last month’s crime statistics where Police officers were charged with a number of offences.

“This is completely unacceptable and the Fijian people deserve far better from those entrusted with their safety and we expect and demand better from all of you,” he said.

“The sad truth is that it is our ordinary people who are made victims of some dirty behaviour by bad officers and it is the faith of the Fijian people that takes the biggest hit when cops escape unpunished.”

Mr Bainimrama said he was glad these officers were brought to justice and this meant that the Fiji Police Force was progressing.

“That means greater transparency has been brought into the force and we will continue to strip away any layer of corruption.”

As new officers, he said they needed to root out anyone within the force who abused their positions for their own gain.

“In Fiji, today no title and office can be used as a shield to the rule of law, so if seen report it and let the justice system handle the rest.”

Mr Bainimarama reminded the officers that as members of the Fiji Police Force, their jobs would not be easy.

“You will face danger, you will find yourselves between innocent Fijians and great threats to their safety and in those moments you must put aside concern for your own well-being and protect those who cannot protect themselves as that is what you have been called to do.”

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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