Funding remains biggest hurdle to Fiji Police body camera rollout
Committee urges faster rollout to improve transparency and public confidence.
Wednesday 29 July 2026 | 11:00
Fiji Police Force Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Kasiano Vusonilawe.
Photo: Kaneta Naimatau
The rollout of body-worn cameras for Fiji Police officers remains on hold because of funding constraints, says Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Kasiano Vusonilawe.
Asked for an update on the planned trial of body-worn cameras, Vusonilawe said funding remained the key obstacle.
"Well, when you talk about body cameras, you talk about money. That's it," he said.
Related stories
His comments come days after the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence recommended that the Fiji Police Force fast-track the body camera programme to improve transparency and public confidence while reviewing the Force's 2021-2022 Annual Report.
The committee, chaired by Assistant Minister Lenora Qereqeretabua, found the Force had yet to establish the legislative framework, digital storage infrastructure and operational policies required to support the technology.
Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu has previously said infrastructure constraints continued to delay the rollout, with assessments under way to determine the best approach.
He said the Force was first strengthening its information and communications technology (ICT) capabilities through the Australian Federal Police-supported UPLIFT programme before investing in body-worn cameras.
The Fiji Police Force's budget fell by 5.95 per cent to $226 million in the 2026-2027 financial year, with priority instead given to recruiting more officers.
