Police–ODPP coordination failures let criminal cases collapse: Report

Poor coordination between the Fiji Police force prosecutors and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is causing criminal cases to collapse, leading to wrongful acquittals and eroding public confidence in Fiji's justice system.

The finding was detailed in the Final Report on Fiji's Law and Justice Sector, which reveals that communication breakdowns are compromising case integrity across the country.

"Persistent coordination challenges, particularly between Police prosecutors and officers of ODPP, continue to affect case integrity, contributing to high attrition rates and wrongful acquittals," the report states.

The gaps result in incomplete briefings, charge discrepancies and inadequate trial preparation, meaning criminals may walk free due to procedural failures rather than innocence.

The issue affects victims who have already endured the trauma of reporting crimes and participating in investigations, only to see cases fall apart in court.

Digital solution

To address the problem, a joint Police-ODPP digital evidence platform is being piloted by late 2026, allowing both agencies to share case files and evidence electronically.

The reform roadmap also mandates joint training modules focusing on investigative standards, victim sensitivity and digital evidence handling.

These coordination issues were first highlighted in the 1994 Beattie Commission report but remain unresolved three decades later.

The Ministry of Justice will lead the integration efforts with support from Digital Fiji to ensure proper tracking of criminal cases from investigation through prosecution.

The reforms aim to reduce the current high attrition rate where cases are dropped or result in acquittals due to poor preparation rather than lack of evidence.

Feedback: kaneta.naimatau@fijisun.com.fj