Police Chief dismisses rift claims

Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu has dismissed claims of a rift between the Fiji Police Force and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, saying both agencies continue to work closely together on national security operations.

Speaking during a press conference this morning, Mr Tudravu said reports of tensions between the two forces were false.

“First of all I would like to clear the air on the rift between the RFMF and the Fiji Police Force,” he said.

“The claims are false.”

Mr Tudravu said he had just returned from a briefing with RFMF Commander Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai, who had reaffirmed the military’s support for ongoing joint operations and investigations into the death of Jone Vakarisi.

“In fact I had just returned from a brief with the RFMF Commander Ro Jone Kalouniwai today,” Mr Tudravu said.

“The commander has yet again reaffirmed the support for the joint taskforce operations and also the conduct of investigations into the death of Jone Vakarisi.”

He said the joint taskforce continued to operate across all five policing divisions, focusing on intelligence sharing, operational planning and deployment support.

“The joint taskforce scope of work includes intelligence sharing, ops planning and support of boots on the ground in all five policing divisions,” he said.

Mr Tudravu said the operation remained focused on disrupting organised criminal activity.

“The joint taskforce work in support of national operations in disrupting, destroying and destabilising the criminal networks.”

He again reassured the public that there was no division between the two institutions.

“Again I want to reassure the public that there is no rift between the two forces.”