Police probe into alleged corruption completed

The investigation into alleged corrupt practices involving 11 senior members of the Fiji Police Force has been completed following the circulation of screenshots of Viber exchanges.

Police confirmed the investigation file had been submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for independent legal advice to ensure transparency in the process.

The investigation was conducted with assistance from the Australian Federal Police and New Zealand Police.

Police said digital forensics officers and forensic accountants from the Criminal Investigations Department, with support from the Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit, investigated the financial histories of the implicated officers.

The probe focused on allegations officers received money from individuals allegedly involved in the illicit drug trade.

Police said the investigation team comprised senior investigators, including some recalled from retirement specifically to handle investigations involving members of the organisation.

“The team was given full autonomy in the conduct of investigation,” the statement said.

The Fiji Police Force said it would await independent legal advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions before making further comment.

Police also confirmed that allegations made by a former police officer regarding alleged links between members of the organisation and known persons of interest in the drug and criminal network had been closed.

“All attempts made to gather statements at a facility that was selected by the Australian Federal Police, out of respect for operating in a foreign jurisdiction, were in vain, and the senior investigator returned, unable to record a statement,” the statement said.

Police said several persons of interest named by the former officer already had matters before the courts relating to alleged links to the drug trade, while others remained under investigation.

The Fiji Police Force has urged members of the public to understand the legal processes governing law enforcement investigations, saying such investigations were complex, multi-faceted and required support from multiple agencies.

“While investigations are not given a specific timeframe for completion, members of the public are assured that any reports against police are taken seriously,” the statement said.