FWCC calls for independent police watchdog in Police Bill review

The Fiji Women's Crisis Centre (FWCC) is calling for a fully independent police complaints commission, warning that provisions in the proposed Fiji Police Bill could weaken accountability and allow police to investigate complaints against themselves.

Presenting the organisation's submission on the bill, FWCC legal officer Petrina Fremlin said while the centre supported police reform, several key provisions required strengthening.

FWCC raised concerns about the proposed complaints process, arguing that the Fiji Police Force would remain the gatekeeper of its own accountability system.

While the bill proposes an independent disciplinary tribunal, Ms Fremlin said complainants would first have to go through internal police processes before cases could be independently reviewed.

“This creates a structural risk that complaints may be dismissed, filtered or resolved internally without independent scrutiny,” she said.

The centre is calling for a fully independent, civilian-led and gender-balanced police complaints commission with powers to receive complaints directly, conduct investigations and refer matters for prosecution or disciplinary action.

Ms Fremlin cited oversight bodies in New Zealand and the United Kingdom as examples of effective independent policing watchdogs.

FWCC also raised concerns about clauses granting immunity to police officers, arguing they were too broad and could shield officers from accountability, even where actions resulted from negligence, recklessness, corruption or deliberate breaches of constitutional rights.

“We submit that the bill should make it clear that immunity does not apply where officers’ actions are negligent, reckless, corrupt or where they knowingly violate constitutional rights,” she said.

The organisation also questioned ministerial powers contained in the bill, warning that operational policing decisions must remain free from political influence.

It recommended safeguards to prevent ministerial directions from extending to investigations, arrests, charging decisions, surveillance activities or prosecutions.

“Policing responses must always be responsible, consistent and grounded in human rights and the rule of law,” Ms Fremlin said.