Police Will Deliver: Tudravu

The Fiji Police Force will deliver improved services in response to the Government’s announcement of 1000 additional personnel in the 2025-2026 National Budget.

This was highlighted by Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu after Minister for Finance Biman Prasad delivered his national budget address on Friday.

The Fiji Police received increased funding of $240.3 million, an increase of $13.5 million from the previous budget allocation of $226.8 million.

“We are happy that we are being allocated the funds for recruitment. That will now boost our manpower on the ground,” Mr Tudravu said.

“The Government has done its part and the rest will be for us to deliver the service that is required,” he said, adding, “it’s a service delivery improvement.”

“That is a commitment that we will do in order for us to make fruition of the budget that has been presented to us,” he said.

Finance Minister Biman Prasad announced the major expansion would take the full strength of the Police Force to more than 6,550 across all ranks.

This would mean one officer to 137 people or 730 officers per 100,000 population; more than double the world standard of 300 per 100,000 population.

The major investment will be done in two phases at an additional cost of around $40 million.

For the first phase, $19.5m was provided in the budget to commence recruitment of 538 additional officers, on top of around 300 vacant positions to be filled.

This would mean extra manpower of over 800 officers immediately.

Minister for Policing Ioane Naivalurua said it was a great budget that would help the Police Force deliver better services.

“The only thing left for us now is to deliver,” Mr Naivalurua said.

“The Commissioner will deliver; I will also deliver. So, I thank the Government once again.”

Government also approved additional funding of $8.6m for Police salary progression.

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