Naivalurua: 45 Police officers charged with drug and sex crimes in three years

Forty-five police officers have been charged with serious drug and sexual offences over the past three years, according to official statistics presented to Parliament.

Minister for Policing and Communication Ioane Naivalurua revealed that 27 officers faced drug-related charges from January 2023 to October 2025, while 18 officers were charged with sexual offences during the same period.

The statistics show 10 officers were charged with drug offences in 2023, rising to 12 in 2024, with five officers charged by October 2025.

One 2024 case involved an officer charged with possessing both methamphetamine and cocaine, while 2025 cases included charges for unlawful possession, supply and importation of illicit drugs.

Sexual offence charges showed a slight decrease from eight officers in 2023 to six in 2024, with four charged by October this year.

The most serious 2024 case involved an officer facing 13 counts, including eight sexual assaults, three rapes, one defilement charge and one indecent assault.

Charges ranged from rape and sexual assault to indecent assault and attempts to commit rape.

“The Fiji Police Force (FPF) maintains a zero-tolerance policy for serious offences, and all cases are thoroughly investigated before charges are sanctioned by the ODPP (Office of Director of Public Prosecution),” Mr Naivalurua said.

He stressed convicted officers would face immediate dismissal.

“Any officer convicted of a serious crime, particularly those that severely breach public trust such as drug and sexual offences, has no place in the FPF.”

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