Old law ‘holding us back’ says Acting Commissioner

The Fiji Police Force has admitted that the Police Act of 1965 is outdated and limits modern policing, including the use of DNA technology and other advanced investigative tools.

The Act is under nationwide review led by the Ministry of Policing, the Office of the Solicitor-General and the Police Force, with legal support from consultants.

The review comes amid public pressure for better responses to crime, accountability, and social issues.

Speaking at the Validation Workshop on the Police Act Review, Acting Police Commissioner Aporosa Lutunauga said the law was created in a different era and no longer supports modern policing.

“We cannot deny the fact that we are being held back by certain provisions of our present Act,” Mr Lutunauga said.

“Now is the time to speak up and let your voices be heard.”

Mr Lutunauga said the Police Force is undergoing internal transformation to rebuild trust with communities, but outdated laws limit progress.

“We are constantly under public scrutiny, with growing pressure from the community to solve social problems quickly and efficiently,” he said.

“How the community perceives our response is vital. How we respond is even more critical.”

Modern policing

He said modern policing requires clear legal support for forensic science, DNA evidence, digital investigations, and responsible use of technology.

“With growing dependency on technology, we need to be five to ten steps ahead,” Mr Lutunauga said.

“The new Police Act must remain relevant 20 to 30 years from now.”

Over eight weeks, the review team held 42 consultations across all 13 provinces, engaging the public, traditional leaders, women’s and disability organisations, trade unions, and other stakeholders.

UN Human Rights Pacific Representative Heike Alefsen said the current Act does not fully reflect Fiji’s constitutional values or international human rights standards, especially on the use of force, accountability, and investigative powers.

“The Police Act provides the legal foundation for how policing power is exercised, including how evidence is collected and rights are protected,” Ms Alefsen said. She added that a modern law must balance effective crime-solving tools with strong safeguards to protect human rights.

The final recommendations will be submitted to Cabinet before the proposed new Police Act is presented to Parliament.