Qiliho Resigns as COMPOL

The suspended Commissioner of Police, Sitiveni Qiliho, has resigned, a move that opens the door for the appointment of a new top cop.

The Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) received Qiliho's resignation last Thursday, though the reasons behind his decision remain unclear.

Qiliho, who was suspended on January 27, 2023, by President Ratu Willame Katonivere on the advice of the COC, had been facing allegations of misconduct.

He continued to receive full pay while awaiting a tribunal hearing.

On May 9, 2023, Qiliho was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison on charges of abuse of office, alongside former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.

Bainimarama faced one count of attempting to pervert the course of justice, while Qiliho was convicted for abuse of office, stemming from directives to halt an investigation into a University of the South Pacific matter in July 2020.

Despite his conviction, the COC had been preparing to proceed with a tribunal to address the original misconduct allegations, which were separate from the charges for which he was convicted.

Qiliho also faces a separate abuse of office charge in court.

Attorney-General and COC member Graham Leung confirmed that Qiliho’s resignation renders the tribunal unnecessary.

“Mr Qiliho’s resignation creates a vacancy in the substantive position, allowing us to move forward with advertising the role,” Mr Leung said.

“We couldn’t proceed earlier as he was still the substantive post holder despite his conviction.”

Candidates tipped for the role of Commissioner of Police include United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Safety and Security Unaisi Vuniwaqa, former senior police officers Luke Navela and Rusiate Tudravu, and Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong-Chew.

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