The Commissioner of Police, Rusiate Tudravu, has announced plans for the Fiji Police Force to partner with the military in order to tackle the increasing challenges posed by drug-related activities, a decision influenced by the limitations in police resources. In a press conference held this morning, Tudravu shared his intent to meet with the military commander on Monday to discuss potential collaboration.
“This initiative has been under consideration for some time. The military serves as a secondary option to enhance our efforts,” Tudravu remarked. He emphasized that his strategy has been to thoroughly assess the landscape before seeking military assistance.
Upon taking office, Tudravu made it a priority to evaluate the operational capabilities and resources available to the police. “I felt it was critical to understand the current situation before determining the support necessary to move forward,” he commented.
Notably, Tudravu praised the police’s achievements in combating drug issues despite resource constraints, stating, “We have made remarkable strides with the limited means at our disposal. However, there comes a moment when we will need additional backing, and we are looking into this carefully.”
The Commissioner highlighted previous successful collaborations with the military and expressed optimism that further discussions would yield effective support. “The military possesses the manpower to assist us throughout the country,” Tudravu noted, reassuring that the details of how they will cooperate will be addressed in the upcoming meeting.
Tudravu confirmed that police will deliver a detailed briefing to the military commander regarding the current drug situation and the deployment of police forces. “We intend to share our insights and intelligence, enabling the military commander to determine the best way to provide their support,” he stated.
This strategic alliance aims to reinforce the police’s initiatives against drug-related activities, promoting a collaborative approach to maintain law and order across Fiji. Through this partnership, both the police and military hope to foster a safer environment for the nation.