Police can't police themselves, say women lawyers

Public confidence in the Fiji Police Force is being undermined by allegations of brutality, misconduct and weak accountability, the Fiji Women's Lawyers Association told a parliamentary committee in Suva yesterday.

Appearing before the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights, association president Patricia Naisara and lawyer Madona Fong urged lawmakers to strengthen the proposed Fiji Police Bill to rebuild trust between police and the communities they serve.

"There is a big issue with trusting police," Ms Fong told the committee. "More often than not, police are seen as hostile, very abusive."

She said restoring confidence would require more than new legislation, calling for stronger oversight, better training and greater accountability for officers accused of misconduct.

The association said the proposed Bill gives the Police Commissioner broad discretion over how complaints against officers are handled, warning this could weaken public confidence in the disciplinary process.

"Police cannot police themselves in this regard," Ms Fong said, adding that complaints made to the Police Internal Affairs Unit often remained unresolved.

The association recommended that all allegations involving criminal conduct, serious misconduct, corruption or drug offences be automatically referred to an independent police disciplinary tribunal.

It also proposed establishing an independent advisory body made up of community representatives to provide policy advice to the Police Commissioner and strengthen transparency.

Ms Naisara said the Bill should do more to protect women, children and vulnerable people.

She said women account for about 25 per cent of police officers despite making up more than half of Fiji's population, and called for stronger recruitment measures to improve gender representation.

The association also recommended mandatory annual training in gender-based violence, domestic violence, child protection, human rights and the appropriate use of force, saying officers needed ongoing professional development to meet modern policing challenges.

The submissions were made during public hearings on the Fiji Police Bill before the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights, which is also considering the Commercial Use of Marine Areas Bill and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Bill.