Fiji Police: Detector Dog Unit Has Been Big Success
No doubt the Fiji Detector Dog Unit has been a huge success.
“The Unit has been instrumental in high volumes of drug seizures, undeclared currency and a case of firearms and ammunition,” said Commissioner of Police Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho.
The Pacific Detector Dog Programme Annual Workshop was held at Tanoa International Hotel on Monday.
Law enforcement officers from Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands and New Zealand were present as well.
Brig-Gen Qiliho said that the pacific law enforcement officers share one common goal and that is to keep the region safe.
“I have found that an effective way of managing the demands placed on our services is through networking with other law enforcement agencies,” he said.
“A perfect example of an effective collaboration is before us in this room. As we come together to network and discuss ways of enhancing our respective services through this workshop.”
The Commissioner added that the Pacific Detector Dog Programme has had years of success in the Pacific, especially with Fiji’s success since its establishment in 2015.
“There is a perception that the FDDU operates mainly at our major ports of entry, but their contribution to the overall operations of the Fiji Police Force and Fiji Revenue and Customs Services in the Eastern, Southern and Western Division has been immense,” he said.
“The Fiji Police Force’s war on drugs is well known throughout the Pacific and the world – as we are constantly looking for ways to enhance our ability of keeping Fijians safe from this silent killer.”
“The specialist support given through the Pacific Detector Dog Programme, through our FDDU has had a major impact on our war against drugs.”
“And Fiji is proud of its contribution in stemming the flow of illegal activities to our neighbours, as quite a number of seizures were made at our borders and at our postal agency outlets,” he added.
Brig-Gen Qiliho acknowledged the support of the New Zealand Police and New Zealand Customs who had given them the opportunity to network and deliberate on how to improve the work of their respective Detector Dog Units.
Edited by Susana Tuilau
