Psychologist Included In Police Recruitment Programme Stage
“Because it is a psychological issue for us now to prepare Police officers for a volatile environment,” SSP Lutunauga said.
Thursday 31 January 2019 | 09:00
Front from left: SSP Aporosa Lutunauga, Deputy Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu and SP Mahendra Shiyam and Committee chairperson Alex O’Connor on January 29, 2019. Photo: Parliament of Fiji
Under its new reform, the Fiji Police Force has set a mandate to employ a psychologist who is included in their recruitment system.
Senior Superintendent of Police Aporosa Lutunauga made the comment during the Fiji Police Force’s 2016 Annual Report to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence on Tuesday.
“Because it is a psychological issue for us now to prepare Police officers for a volatile environment,” SSP Lutunauga said.
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In his submissions the National Federation Party (NFP) Member of Parliament Pio Tikoduadua commended the Commissioner of Police and the force for their hard work and questioned Mr Tudravu on what was being done to help raise the standard of professionalism within the force.
He said cases of alleged assault on accused persons by Police officers continued to surface and contributed to moulding public opinion.
In response ACP Tudravu said that it was a challenge they were currently facing and were looking into.
“In the last five to ten years the trend of criminal activity and security landscape has changed a lot and it has also pushed Police officers to the limit,” ACP Tudravu said.
“It is an issue. It is a challenge and we are trying our efforts to mould professional Police officers who can control themselves.”
Edited by Ranoba Baoa
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