Police Commissioner calls for fitter officers amid challenges

The Fiji Police Force is facing challenges related to officer health, public trust, and the spread of misinformation, says Commissioner of Police, Rusiate Tudravu.

He shared this while opening the Regional Media Development Training for Police Communications at the Holiday Inn Suva today.

The training, supported by media and regional partners, aims to strengthen communication strategies, enhance collaboration, and improve how policing information is delivered to the public across the Pacific.

Mr Tudravu said a recent internal briefing showed that while the organisation’s overall health status remains stable, the results were “not really good news” for him, prompting a renewed push for a healthier and fitter police workforce.

He emphasised that maintaining proper lifestyle habits was essential for officers to carry out their duties effectively and improve the overall performance of the force.

Mr Tudravu also highlighted increasing public scrutiny, including allegations of corruption and serious crimes, noting that police leadership is being challenged to change negative perceptions and rebuild public trust.

He warned that the growing influence of social media, with more people consuming news online, has intensified the spread of misinformation and disinformation, particularly on security issues.

The Commissioner said this shift had created strong competition between traditional media and digital platforms, with many relying on instant updates from their devices regardless of accuracy.

He added that policing must adapt to this evolving landscape, emphasising that communication teams play a critical role in shaping public perception and acting as a bridge between the organisation and the public.

Mr Tudravu said how information was packaged, timed and delivered significantly affected how the Force was viewed, adding that strong leadership support was essential for communication teams to perform effectively.

The Commissioner called for regional cooperation among Pacific policing agencies to address transnational crime and improve information sharing, stressing the importance of consistent messaging across the region.