Police urged to fast-track body cameras

The Fiji Police Force should fast-track the rollout of body-worn cameras to improve transparency, accountability and public confidence in policing, a parliamentary committee has recommended.

The recommendation is contained in the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence's Review Report of the Fiji Police Force 2021-2022 Annual Report, tabled in Parliament as Parliamentary Paper No. 49 of 2026.

Chaired by Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Lenora Qereqeretabua, the committee found the Force had yet to establish the legislative framework, digital storage infrastructure and operational policies needed to introduce the technology.

"The Committee recommends that the FPF expedite the implementation of a body-worn camera programme, supported by the necessary legislative framework, digital storage infrastructure, and operational policies, to enhance transparency, accountability, evidence gathering, and public confidence in policing activities," the report stated.

The committee noted that the Force had only begun preliminary assessments of body-worn cameras, particularly for traffic enforcement and highway operations.

It said concerns were raised during a public hearing in Suva on June 10, where Fiji Police Force representatives said the technology could not be implemented until appropriate laws and secure data storage systems were in place.

The committee said body-worn cameras would help protect both police officers and members of the public during interactions, particularly in high-risk situations such as traffic stops and arrests.

The recommendation follows the committee's finding that crime detection rates declined from 71 per cent in 2021 to 69 per cent in 2022, falling short of the Force's target of 70 per cent.

The report also recommended greater investment in digital forensics to strengthen the Force's response to the growing threat of cybercrime.