Police to equip officers with tasers

In the wake of the death of Constable Peni Racagi, Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu has announced that 1000 officers across Fiji will soon be equipped with less-lethal weapons.

These include tasers, aimed at better protecting officers on duty.

Speaking at a media briefing yesterday, Mr Tudravu described the 24-year-old officer’s death as “very unfortunate” and confirmed the post-mortem revealed elements of foul play.

Police sources said there were physical signs of a struggle on his body and that the cause of death was blunt force trauma.

“The life of a Police officer is unpredictable. None of us as leaders want to see this happen again,” he said.

The new safety measures will come alongside a joint training programme with New Zealand Police.

Mr Tudravu said the programme was being decentralised to divisions and integrated into new recruit training to ensure officers are fully prepared to use less-lethal weapons safely.

Members of the public with information concerning the incident are urged to contact the Divisional Crime Officer Southern on 9905883.