Comments: Finding The Solutions For Honest, Honourable And Sincere Police Officers

The Fiji Police Force faces a mammoth human resource challenge. Finding genuine people who are committed to do their job with honesty, integrity and sincerity.

This is not to say that all Police officers are dirty. On the contrary; many are going above and beyond their call of duty to serve communities and foil crimes.

However, it is the opportunists in the system whose selfish actions have tarnished the reputation of the disciplined force.

The case of the Police officer in the West, who has been sent on leave after allegedly making off with some of the drugs from the three-tonne bust on Sun­day; is shocking to say the least.

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Acting Police Commissioner Juki Chew Fong con­firmed last night that the officer was sent on leave while investigations are carried out.

It is hard to believe this alleged incident mainly because of the officer's bold statement. But it is also not a rare case when it comes to these alleged unwar­ranted actions.

Sunday's drug bust sent shockwaves in the VoiVoi community; the Western Division and the whole of Fiji.

To think that drugs of that magnitude went unno­ticed for a period of time, let alone under the radar of customs, is bewildering.

Even the Minister for Home Affairs and Immigra­tion, Pio Tikoduadua, on Monday was trying to fath­om the situation.

"Obviously; these things have slipped through the net," Mr Tikoduadua said.

"I believe this is not the first time this has happened because there had been major discoveries about this," he said.

"Why do they continue to happen? We must send out a signal that we do not condone this. The meas­ures have to be put in place in addition to what we already have. We really need to tighten our belt on this thing.

"We need to get to the bottom of it. I want them to know that we are on to them, and we will have no leni­ency whatsoever."

So where does that leave these opportunist cops?

Or how can a recruitment system be formulated to withstand the obvious temptation to choose money over law?

What is the recruitment process strategy?

What is the penalty for failure?

Solutions of these kind are hard to find for oppor­tunists exist in all professions, whether we like it or not.

Perhaps one of the answers to this is through increasing salary; which Mr Tikoduadua also an­nounced on Monday.

Another solution that is often taken for granted is empowerment.

How many officers go to work feeling empowered by the work environment, their work stations.

How many are passionate about their jobs even if they be­lieve they are not being paid enough?

How often do the leaders check in on their team members individually; empathise with them and en­courage them to become better versions themselves?

In a release last year, the Fiji Police Force conducted an empowerment programme for its frontline offic­ers in the West.

There, middle managers were encouraged to con­duct team building exercises.

It included focusing on communication in order to get through obstacles and other team challenges at the Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park. The officers were seen smiling and having fun.

The pertinent question is, how often are these em­powerment exercises conducted and what kind strat­egies are there to ensure success?

This is not only an issue for the Police force but for all professions.

It is a task that's certainly bigger than that the three-tonne drug find in the Nadi.

Feedback: ranoba.baoa@fijisun.com.fj

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