Police divers risk lives without safety equipment

Despite the hazardous nature of their duties police divers are risking their lives underwater without decompression chambers and other critical safety equipment.

This was in the Fiji Police Force 2020-2021 Annual Report tabled in Parliament this month and before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence review.

The committee found that the Police Mobile Force Diving Unit lacked essential safety gear including decompression chambers, shark deterrents, lifelines and depth sounders. “The Diving Unit lacks dedicated specialised vehicles, modern gear, and key safety equipment,” the report stated.

Divers operate within a 12-nautical-mile limit under police jurisdiction, but face the same constraints as the Fiji Naval Division personnel in their operations. The unit also struggles with prohibitive medical clearance costs of $2000 per diver under their budget. 

No allowances

Despite the dangerous nature of their work, officers also receive no risk, diving, or medical allowances. The report also revealed that although the divers are well-trained, equipment and funding shortages compromise their operational effectiveness. The unit has not received any new rescue equipment in the past five years and relies heavily on the National Fire Authority despite underwater rescue being a policing responsibility.

The committee highlighted that equipment and funding shortages are severely impacting the unit’s ability to carry out search and rescue operations effectively. It recommended that the Diving Unit receive a dedicated budget to procure essential safety gear alongside establishment of diving-specific allowances.

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