Top cop exposes political interference in the Force

Political interference in police matters was common during the tenure of the previous government.

Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu did not mince his words during his examination-in-chief at the High Court in Suva this morning.

Commissioner Tudravu is a key prosecution witness in the trial against former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Commissioner of Police Sitiveni Qiliho.

The case relates to the termination of two police officers and Commissioner Tudravu himself, after they photographed Bainimarama’s late brother, Jonacani Bainimarama, and circulated the images in two police Viber groups.

Commissioner Tudravu testified that during the previous administration, police officers were reluctant and fearful to oppose directives from higher authorities, as doing so had cost many of them their jobs.

"Despite how open Qiliho or Bainimarama was, officers were fearful and followed orders as they come," Commissioner Tudravu said.

"The work environment that time was not a normal one for us."

Commissioner Tudravu maintained that although pressure came from the former Prime Minister to terminate Police Inspector Penieli Ratei and Police Constable Tomasi Naulu, he did not see the need to terminate them.

He said Bainimarama's ultimatum to choose between their termination or his, was painful but he knew he had a duty to maintain police integrity, even in the face of injustice and political interference.

"I tried to plead with Bainimarama to give me until the end of my term on December 14, 2021, but he maintained that I tender in my resignation," Commissioner Tudravu said.

"When I personally handed in my resignation to Qiliho, I was told that I should have followed Bainimarama's orders."

The trial is on break now and will commence at 2pm for cross examination by defence.

More developments soon.

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