Security guards want legal power to carry defensive batons
They say the risks they face are higher than they were a decade ago.
Wednesday 12 August 2026 | 09:30
Law Reform Commissioner Ana Rokomokoti (left), with Professional Security Services Fiji Limited regional manager, Sanjay Nand in Lautoka. on September 11, 2026.
Photo: Mereleki Nai
Security guards and operators want greater powers, including the authority to carry defensive batons and additional powers of arrest.
The issue was raised during public consultations on the review of the Security Industry Act 2010.
Law Reform Commissioner Ana Rokomokoti, who is overseeing the review, highlighted the concerns during a consultation at the Sugar Cane Growers Council boardroom in Lautoka yesterday.
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She said the primary objective of the review was to update the existing legal framework and determine whether the Security Industry Act 2010 continued to provide an effective, modern and comprehensive framework for regulating Fiji’s private security industry.
Ms Rokomokoti said the National Security and Defence Review 2024 reported that there were about 3000 security companies registered in Fiji.
She said similar suggestions had been raised during the consultation in Suva, where security guards called for the power to carry defensive batons and additional powers of arrest.
“At the moment, security guards only have the ordinary power of arrest,” Ms Rokomokoti said.
“I think the use of defensive batons gives them the ability to defend themselves, considering the security environment nowadays is very different from what it was 10 years ago.
“The risks are higher and there is more exposure to such risks.”
Ms Rokomokoti said security guards currently only had the ordinary power of arrest available to members of the public and did not have any additional special powers.
She said the suggestions for greater powers would be considered and analysed as part of the review.
“Definitely, they are requesting more powers, but that is for consideration and analysis,” she said.
Ms Rokomokoti said the review could also draw lessons from other common-law jurisdictions, including Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.
The next consultation is currently held today at the Nadi Civic Centre and ends at 1pm.
Ms Rokomokoti is urging members of the public to attend the consultations and share their views, suggestions and ideas on the review of the legislation.
Feedback: mereleki.nai@fijisun.com.fj
