The Fiji Police Force handed over 33 vehicles and 30 motorbikes to the Divisional Police Commanders and Directors yesterday.

Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho said the number of vehicles which the Police had received to date left absolutely no room for them to be using the excuse of “no transport”.

Neither will the excuse of having “no driver” be entertained.

Mr Qiliho said: “Every time I receive a call from a disgruntled member of the public that they have been waiting for hours or have called and received the response of “no vehicle”, I cringe at the fact that despite several reminders and warnings there are still officers who are giving this as an excuse for not being able to attend to a report.”

Speaking to the DPCs and directors, Mr Qiliho said: “Today you will assume command of these vehicles and it is therefore imperative that you keep a close eye on the way they will be utilised.

“Remind those under your command to have some empathy.  Understand the needs of the people we serve. No one should be served any differently based on their race, religious affiliation,  gender or status in society.

“Remember, we will not always be on this side of the service counter. One day we will be on the other side.  We will be the one’s calling and asking for help. So imagine how you would feel if you received the response of “no transport” at a time when you are in dire need of help.”

Mr Qiliho said the Police were no different from all other police jurisdictions with a desire to have speacialised vehicles, and for them, they were fortunate that it was fast becoming a reality.

He said having motorbikes would also improve visibility and having fallen victim to a motorbike accident himself, they would need to ensure their riders were well-qualified to handle any situation.

  “DPCs and directors, I urge you to speak to your officers about the importance of customer service because majority of the complaints received are directly linked to our initial responses to calls received at the station level,’’ Mr Qiliho said.

Edited by George Kulamaiwasa

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