FCOSS calls for Commission of Inquiry into Police Force

The Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) has called for an immediate Commission of Inquiry into the Fiji Police Force following the death of a Beqa villager allegedly linked to police brutality over the weekend.

FCOSS national president Sepesa Rasili welcomed the launch of an investigation into the incident but said isolated probes were no longer sufficient to address what he described as a pattern of serious misconduct.

“It has been almost one death per month. This is unacceptable in this day and age, especially under a government we believed would uphold the presumption of innocence,” he said.

Mr Rasili warned that public confidence in law enforcement was being eroded.

“When law enforcement bypasses the courts and takes human life into its own hands, the foundation of our democracy begins to crumble,” he said.

He said FCOSS had previously called for a force-wide inquiry in 2021 and again in 2023, and was renewing that demand in light of continued concerns.

“Without an organisation-wide inquiry, we will continue to see senseless deaths at the hands of those we fund to protect us,” he said.

Mr Rasili said allegations of indiscipline, corruption and misconduct within the force had been repeatedly raised by communities and civil society groups but not adequately addressed.

He acknowledged ongoing reforms, including the National Security Review and consultations on the proposed Police Bill, but said deeper structural issues remained unresolved.

“In the interim, we must urgently address the deep-rooted deficiencies in accountability, integrity and the culture of impunity,” he said.

He added that increased scrutiny through social media meant inconsistencies in investigations would not go unnoticed.

FCOSS said it remained committed to supporting justice for victims and pushing for reforms to strengthen public trust in law enforcement. Police are currently investigating the Beqa incident, with further details yet to be released.