Rising crime puts pressure on Police, minister warns

Rising serious crime in 2025 is a warning that Fiji Police cannot afford complacency, Minister for Policing and Communications Ioane Naivalurua has said, as new prosecution figures highlight growing pressures on law enforcement.

Mr Naivalurua made the comments following the release of statistics from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which show that Fiji recorded 344 counts of serious crime in 2025, involving 274 people — including five police officers and 18 minors.

The offences include murder, aggravated robbery, burglary, assault and drug-related crimes.

“Crimes have been committed for various reasons, personal issues, economic pressures, or situations people could not resist. We need to dive deeper into why these things happen,” Mr Naivalurua said.

While acknowledging that the majority of police officers continued to serve with dedication, the minister said a small number had failed to uphold the law.

“We have more great officers than bad ones, but we must make sure the good officers do not fall on the wayside and become corrupt,” he said.

Mr Naivalurua said steps were being taken to strengthen accountability within the force, including improved internal systems, laws, regulations and ongoing training programmes.

“We are trained as custodians of law and order. It is our duty to enforce the law and safeguard the community,” he said.

Looking ahead, he also warned of emerging threats such as fentanyl and outlined the Government’s “black glove strategy”, which combines border enforcement, community policing and court prosecutions.

Mr Naivalurua said the crime figures underscored the urgent need for stronger accountability, proactive policing and greater community involvement, making it clear that the Police Force could not afford to relax its guard as criminal threats evolve.