Police probe Viber sexual harassment claims

The Fiji Police Force has ordered an investigation into allegations that police officers sexually harassed women through community Viber groups established for neighbourhood policing.

Commissioner of Police Tudravu said the Internal Affairs Department had been directed to gather more information following complaints raised by the Fiji Women’s Lawyers Association (FWLA).

“The Commissioner of Police has directed the Internal Affairs to gather more information in relation to the allegations made, since the Association has stated that they have received complaints,” Mr Tudravu said.

“This is to verify the information and that officers are held accountable, if there is sufficient evidence implicating them.”

The allegations were raised by the FWLA during its submission to Parliament’s Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights last week.

FWLA president Patricia Naisara and lawyer Madona Fong told the committee that while community policing initiatives were intended to strengthen relationships between police and residents, some officers had allegedly misused the platforms.

Ms Fong said women had reported receiving unwanted private messages from police officers after joining community Viber groups.

Mr Tudravu said the Fiji Police Force took allegations of misconduct seriously but stressed that complaints must be properly investigated.

“The Fiji Police Force takes the responsibility of holding officers accountable for any breach of the law or misconduct seriously,” he said.

“However, this must be done through the conduct of an investigation to verify allegations, rather than through a generalised statement.”

He urged members of the public to use proper reporting channels to ensure complaints could be investigated.

“Members of the public are urged to follow proper reporting channels to allow for the conduct of investigations, and can report cases of police misconduct on 1681,” Mr Tudravu said.

He also called on third parties who received complaints to refer them to police for investigation.

“We also call on third parties that receive such complaints to refer matters so it can be investigated,” he said.

Mr Tudravu said complaints would be dealt with by the Internal Affairs Department, while matters involving a criminal element could be referred to the Criminal Investigations Department.

The allegations come as Parliament considers the proposed Fiji Police Bill, with questions over police accountability, safeguards and oversight forming part of the committee’s consultations.